Awesome Feather will look to run her record to a perfect 10-for-10 Sept. 20 at Belmont Park in the one-mile Nasty Storm overnight stakes, scheduled as the third race. Nine have been entered in the race but some are expected to scratch.
Trained by Chad Brown, Frank Stronach's diminutive 4-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Awesome of Course has dealt with tendon issues that have resulted in a light racing schedule over the past two years.
After winning six races in 2010, highlighted by a 2 1/4-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), she made only two starts in 2011, including a 5 1/4-length romp in the Gazelle (gr. I) in November at Aqueduct Racetrack. In her lone start this year, Awesome Feather produced a 5 3/4-length score in the Sunshine Millions Distaff in January at Gulfstream Park.
Brown is hopeful that Thursday's overnight stakes, in which Awesome Feather has been installed as the 4-5 morning line favorite, will be the perfect prep for an appearance in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.
"The race is good timing before the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic; I have roughly six weeks," Brown said. "She's training super. Her weight is very good, her coat is great, and her works have been perfect. I've brought her down to Belmont and I thought she galloped very well today. If she's sound and in good order, we'll plan on running her."
Jeffrey Sanchez, a 27-year-old native of Puerto Rico, will again have the mount on Awesome Feather. He has been on board for all nine of her starts.
Awesome Feather
Coglianese Photos