Following a tumultuous 2022 season, last year's Champion Older Female Letruska may cut back in distance for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, reports bloodhorse.com. The seven-furlong affair, scheduled for Nov. 5 at Keeneland, could help the 6-year-old daughter of Super Saver get back to the winner's circle after compromised by speed duels in her last three route efforts.
“She has the speed; she has the class,” trainer Fausto Gutierrez told bloodhorse.com. “So we are evaluating this possibility (Filly & Mare Sprint) right now.”
The St. George Stable homebred won six of her eight starts in 2021, including the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), Spinster Stakes (G1), Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), and the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3). She faded badly to finish 10th in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff, however, after an early speed duel with fellow frontrunner Private Mission.
This year, Letruska won her first two outings in the G3 Royal Delta and G1 Apple Blossom, but has not been able to finish better than third in three subsequent Grade 1 route stakes. Rather than continue to push the mare at the nine-furlong distance of this year's Distaff, Gutierrez is inclined to target the Filly & Mare Sprint.
“I think the competition of the Distaff this year is very strong,” Gutierrez told bloodhorse.com. “And I think the nine furlongs is starting to be a long distance for her.”
Over the course of her career, Letruska has amassed a record of 19 wins from 28 starts with earnings of $3,053,529.
Read more at bloodhorse.com.
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