Interstatedaydream will be considered for several upcoming major races for 3-year-old fillies, including the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 2 at Oaklawn, trainer Brad Cox said following her sparkling 2022 debut in last Sunday's fourth race.
Interstatedaydream ($5.40) beat stablemate Warrior's Battle by 8 ¼ lengths in the entry-level allowance race, covering 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in a meet-best 1:43.31 under Florent Geroux to win for the second time in three starts.
A daughter of champion and 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, Interstatedaydream hadn't started since finishing second in the $200,000 Adirondack Stakes (G2) Aug. 8 at Saratoga because of a “setback” in the race, Cox said.
Cox said Interstatedaydream could resurface in the Fantasy or the $600,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) April 8 at Keeneland. Both races are 1 1/16 miles.
“The Fantasy's back quick,” Cox said following Sunday's final race. “It's a lot to ask. The Ashland's going to be a lot to ask. Those are two options. There could be a third option. I don't know what it is yet, but those are the two that make the most sense, I think.”
Cox said next-race plans also are pending for millionaire multiple Grade 1 winner Shedaresthedevil following her third-place finish in last Saturday's $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.
Shedaresthedevil, who was making her 2022 debut, was beaten 1 ¾ lengths by Eclipse Award winner Ce Ce after leading throughout much of the race.
“She ran good,” Cox said. “I was a little disappointed in the result, but she came out of it in really, really good shape, so that was a positive.”
The Azeri, which Shedaresthedevil won last year, was the final major local prep for the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) at 1 1/16 miles April 23. Cox it's too early to pinpoint Shedaresthedevil's next start.
“Everybody wants to ask where you're running and your horse isn't even back to the track yet,” Cox said. “Look, the Apple Blossom is going to come up really tough. My goal is to have a filly that's happy and healthy all year. So, we're going to see how she comes out of it when she gets back to the track.”
The post Promising Sophomore Filly Interstatedaydream To Target Oaks Prep appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
