Shocking Turn in Saratoga: Queens M G Aims for Top Grade 1 Win!

The Queens M G has already clinched victories in two local stakes races and is now aiming for a third win in her burgeoning career at the upcoming Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway. This event, a seven-furlong race for two-year-old fillies, will take place on Saturday at Saratoga.

An impressive lineup of 11 participants will compete in this race, which is a part of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen bonus series. This series leads up to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Del Mar.

Under the guidance of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and representing C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable, the dark bay filly named The Queens M G startled many with a 44-1 upset in the six-furlong Schuylerville on July 11. She then convincingly won the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack (G3) by nine lengths on August 4 at Saratoga.

“She’s in great shape. She has recovered well from her last race and seems to be in good spirits,” commented Joseph. “It’s exciting to bring her back here. The Schuylerville was a test to gauge her level, and she passed with flying colors.”

Joseph expressed confidence in his filly’s abilities, noting that she has only one loss in four starts, which was an unexpected setback as the favorite in the 5 1/2-furlong Astoria on June 6 at the Spa.

“She has won three out of four races, with just one minor setback in her career. Each time she races, she seems to improve, and hopefully, she can maintain her lead,” added Joseph.

Originally purchased for $3,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale, The Queens M G was acquired privately after her surprise debut win at 45-1 odds under trainer Israel Acevedo in April at Keeneland.

Dylan Davis will ride from post 8, a position from which all of The Queens M G’s races have started.

Quietside, starting from post 11, comes off a 6 1/4-length victory in her debut, also under jockey Luis Saez, during the Adirondack card. Trained by John Ortiz for owner-breeder Shortleaf Stable, the Malibu Moon filly clocked a six-furlong time of 1:11.03, earning the highest Beyer Speed Figure of 80 in the field according to Daily Racing Form.

“I believe she will eventually be suited to longer distances, but for now, we are increasing from six furlongs to seven. Luis didn’t need to push her much; a simple show of the stick and she accelerated impressively. There seems to be a lot more potential in her,” Ortiz remarked.

Having won last year’s Spinaway with Brightwork, who is now competing in the Prioress (G3), Ortiz is optimistic about defending the title with Quietside. “She’s very fast and also rateable, which is a great combination. We’re looking to secure back-to-back Spinaway victories,” he said.

Quietside descends from the Grade 1-placed Speightstown mare Benner Island, winner of the 2017 Eight Belles (G2) at the Spinaway distance at Churchill Downs.

Another notable contender is Tiz Purple, ridden by Eric Cancel from post 4. Trained by Jorge Delgado for owner Anthony Gentry, this Tiz the Law filly won her last race sprinting six furlongs on August 7 at Saratoga, achieving a career-best 79 Beyer Speed Figure. In her only other start, Tiz Purple was a close second to the stakes-placed Me Governor over five furlongs on July 4 at Monmouth.

From the Graydar mare Purple Lights, Tiz Purple was a $40,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale. Her dam, Lavender Baby, produced graded stakes winner Baby J.

Also in the field is Sherbini, starting from post 2 under Florent Geroux. Trained by Hall of Famer Mark Casse for Bobby Flay, Rocky Top Stable, and James Ventura, the Cairo Prince filly finished a strong second in the Schuylerville after a 3 1/2-length maiden victory at Churchill Downs in June. Sherbini, purchased for $40,000 at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training, comes from a lineage that includes multiple graded stakes-winner Smokey Glacken.

Casse will also saddle maiden Salted, who starts from post 6 with Javier Castellano. Despite finishing second in both her starts, including one against the returning Immersive, this Tapit filly shows promise. She is out of the Casse-trained Grade 1-winning Quality Road mare Salty.

Representing New York-breds, Bellacose, drawn post 10 with jockey Junior Alvarado, made a significant impact by winning her debut by 10 3/4 lengths over fellow state-breds on July 17 at Saratoga. Following this standout performance, she was acquired by Resolute Racing and was initially entered in the state-bred Seeking the Ante on August 25 but was scratched.

Bellacose is co-owned by a consortium including Christopher Dunn, Blue Tarp Racing, Chris Mara, Greyhound Stables, Nicholas Sgroi, Arthur Sgroi, Jonathan Sacks, and Corrin Genovese.