Trainer Jonathan Sheppard, who won Saratoga's major steeplechase race, Thursday's New York Turf Writer's Cup (NSA-I), hopes to land one on the flat when he saddles Latice in the $100,000-aded Glens Falls Handicap (gr. IIIT) for fillies and mares on the turf Monday. Bred in Ireland, the 5-year-old mare Latice will merit attention in the 1 3/8-mile Glens Falls. The daughter of Inchinor has been on the verge of some major stakes wins since she came to America last summer. Last August, in her first start for Sheppard, she won the $66,000 Waya Stakes over Saratoga's inner turf course. Since the Waya, Latice has finished second in the EP Taylor (Can-I) at Woodbine and placed in several other stakes. While Latice opened her season with an allowance win at Keeneland in April, she has been slow to reach top form for Sheppard. He is hoping the Glens Falls will bring her back to her best."She's doing really well," Sheppard said. "She is getting close to where we want her. We are hoping for a little more pace than we got last time. She's a nice horse in that she will run on any ground."A pair of fillies trained by Christophe Clement adds to the European flair of Monday's race.Shared Dreams, bred in Great Britain, won the most recent Waya on Aug.11. That day she attended a slow pace and delivered a powerful stretch kick. A beautifully bred daughter of Seeking the Gold out of Coretta, Clement is looking forward to another good effort from his filly."She has been training exceptional (since the Waya)," Clement said. "I think she will run another good race."Milwaukee, a daughter of Desert King who was bred in France, was also last seen in the Waya, running third to her stablemate. That was her first start in eight months, and Clement feels that she should improve with that race under her belt.
"She was off for a long time," Clement said. "She should move forward off that last race and run well (in the Glens Falls). Hopefully, we can have a better trip and get some pace to run at this time."Noble Stella, a German-bred for trainer Roger Attfield, was a late addition to the Glens Falls. Earlier this summer, she won the $250,000 New York Breeder's Cup Handicap (gr. IIT) at Belmont Park. She also captured the Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland this year.$100,000-added Glens Falls Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 9, 5:18 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, 1 3/8 Miles (Turf)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Louve Royale (IRE), 116, Julien Leparoux
2. Rowdy (MD), 114, Eibar Coa
3. Noble Stella (GER), 118, Mike Smith
4. Shared Dreams (GB), 115, Edgar Prado
5. Olaya (KY), 117, Ramon Dominguez
6. Tisket a Tasket (KY), 115, Kent Desormeaux
7. Latice (IRE), 116, Cornelio Velasquez
8. Sabellina (NY), 115, Javier Castellano
9. Quiero Ganar (KY), 114, Michael Luzzi
10. Milwaukee (FR), 115, Garrett Gomez
Also Eligible
11. Wait It Out (KY), 112, John Velazquez