Iron Maiden Headlines Natalma

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin’s Fair Maiden (Street Boss) has proven dominant in her two latest trips to the post and attempts to win at the highest level in Woodbine’s GI Natalma S., a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 1. A first-up fifth going 4 ½ furlongs over the Arlington synthetic June 23, the hombred aired by 14 1/4 lengths at that venue July 21 before trying the turf for the first time in a soggy renewal of Woodbine’s 6 1/2-panel Catch a Glimpse S. Aug. 17. A 7 1/2-length winner that day, she gave her trainer Eoin Harty plenty of reason to ponder bigger things for the filly.
“After that, the Natalma became a prime consideration for her,” admitted Harty. “At this time of year, there are a lot of opportunities for 2-year-olds but she got over the course up there really well.”
Fair Maiden has breezed twice at Arlington since the Catch A Glimpse, the latest a five-furlong move in 1:02 Sept. 10.
“She didn’t work that fast but she worked very well,” said Harty.
In regards to stretching out, he added, “I really don’t think she’ll have distance limitations, especially when it comes to a mile.”
Emma-Jayne Wilson, who piloted Fair Maiden in her win at Woodbine, was injured in a spill last Sunday. Flavien Prat gets the call in the Natalma.
The consistent Walk In Marrakesh (Ire) registered three consecutive victories this summer, including a narrow score in the Listed EBF Star S. at Sandown July 25. The Mark Johnson trainee finished a credible third in her most recent start over the soft going in the seven-furlong G2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville Aug. 17.
Mark Casse saddles three in this test–Diamond Sparkles (War Front), Coach Lori (Cairo Prince) and Secret Stash (Ire) (Mukhadram {GB}).Diamond Sparkles, a second out winner at Thirsk in July, was subsequently purchased privately by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber.
“She’s a really nice filly,” said Casse. “Her race in England looks very good, and she’s been training well over there, so I would expect her to run well.”
Both Brereton Jones homebred Coach Lori, who won at first asking in a five-furlong test Aug. 3, and Secret Stash enter the Natalma off of wins.
“She got away a little slow, and I didn’t think she had any chance at all, and she was able to get up and win,” Casse said of Coach Lori. “She’s come back and trained about as good as any 2-year-old filly we’ve ever had.”
Secret Stash, purchased privately by Gary Barber after winning second time out in her native Ireland, will be making her North American debut in the Natalma.
“We’ve had her in Kentucky for a while,” explained Casse. “We tried to run her in a stakes [Aug. 31] at Kentucky Downs, but unfortunately she didn’t get in. So, this is Plan B.”

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