Yatta Gets First Stakes Test in Selima
By: Byron King BloodHorse
Four stakes, topped by the $150,000 Selima Stakes and $150,000 Laurel Futurity, highlight the first Saturday of the fall meet at Laurel Park Sept. 30.
A notable success story from the Selima occurred in 2019 when Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable’s Sharing took the race in fast time for trainer Graham Motion before a 13-1 upset in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.
This year, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Motion are again represented in the 1 1/16-mile turf race, this time with Yatta , a Yoshida filly who broke her maiden in her third start in a high-value maiden race at Kentucky Downs Sept. 7.
The opposition includes:
- The George Weaver-trained Brocknardini , who, after scoring by 4 3/4 lengths at Saratoga Race Course, ran 12th with a troubled trip in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.
- Positive Carry , second in her lone start at Saratoga for trainer Chad Brown.
There is a threat of rain in the long-term forecast.
ENTRIES: SELIMA S.
Laurel Park, Saturday, September 30, 2023, Race 6
- STK
- 1 1/16m
- Turf
- $150,000
- 2 yo Fillies
- 3:00 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kissedbyanangel (MD) | Angel Cruz | 122 | Joanne Shankle | – |
| 2 | Gorgeous Girl (KY) | Sheldon Russell | 122 | Gregory D. Sacco | – |
| 3 | Low Mileage (VA) | Jevian Toledo | 122 | John E. Salzman, Jr. | – |
| 4 | Hekate (KY) | Denis Araujo | 122 | Zoe Valvo | – |
| 5 | Brocknardini (NY) | Joseph Rocco, Jr. | 122 | George Weaver | – |
| 6 | Yatta (KY) | Jorge Ruiz | 122 | H. Graham Motion | – |
| 7 | Flowers for Me (KY) | UNKNOWN | 122 | James T. Ryerson | – |
| 8 | Carmelina (PA) | Abner Adorno | 122 | Robert E. Reid, Jr. | – |
| 9 | Positive Carry (IRE) | Nik Juarez | 117 | Chad C. Brown | – |
| 10 | Determined Sail (MD) | Forest Boyce | 122 | Phil Schoenthal | – |