"We chose this race because it's easier," said trainer Patrick Biancone, who also nominated Gorella to the Manhattan. "We ran her against colts last time because of two reasons. First, there was no money in the Distaff Turf Mile. Second, we wanted to see if she could go a mile and an eighth against top competition. She proved she could. We already know she is a top miler."
Mirabilis is owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bobby Frankel, who teamed up to win the Just a Game two years ago with Intercontinental. A filly by Lear Fan, Mirabilis easily defeated the ultra-consistent Wend in the Distaff Turf Mile five weeks ago. Wend is a multiple graded stakes winner on turf who simply did not fire on Kentucky Derby Day. She is likely to produce a better effort Saturday over a course on which she won the New York Handicap (gr. IIT). Wend goes out for trainer Bill Mott. $300,000 Just a Game Handicap (gr. IIT, Race 7, 3:50 p.m.), Fillies & Mares 3 & Up, 1 Mile (Turf)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Ozone Bere (FR), 116, Javier Castellano
2. Gorella (FR), 120, Julien Leparoux
3. Wend (KY), 119, Edgar Prado
4. Bright Abundance (KY), 115, Richard Migliore
5. Mirabilis (KY), 119, Garrett Gomez
6. Pommes Frites (KY), 116, Cornelio Velasquez