Yes It’s True, sire of runners in four previous Breeders’ Cup races, has a pair of distaffers in this year’s renewal at Keeneland.
La Verdad, who is undefeated in 2015, is understandably garnering most of the attention. The 5-year-old mare, who has bankrolled $1,440,700 in a career full of stakes wins, ran just one week ago, taking the Iroquois S. at Belmont Park against an overmatched group.
After observing La Verdad for a day after the Iroquois, trainer Linda Rice decided that the stable star would be entered in Saturday’s $1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).
“It has been a hectic week, trying to evaluate all our options. It has been a very difficult decision: What to do with her in the Breeders’ Cup,” said Rice, who decided to experiment in the Iroquois by trying La Verdad outside of her characteristic front-running style. “We wanted to let the speed run away from her and see how she would do before we spent the money to run seven furlongs, and it went beautifully.
“As she has gotten older, she has rated better. She’s more relaxed. She’s such a pro and she’ll let the speed run away from her. It makes me feel better about running her the seven furlongs.”
With her perfect 2015 record on the line, La Verdad drew post 4 in the full field of 14 for the seven furlong contest. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will be aboard. The Filly and Mare Sprint is race 5 at approximately 1:25 p.m.
In addition to La Verdad, Yes It’s True has Calamity Kate in Friday’s feature race, the $2 million Distaff (G1). Calamity Kate, trained by Kelly Breen for George and Lori Hall, has steadily risen up the class ladder, winning the Delaware Oaks (G3) and finishing second in the $1 million Cotillion (G1) in her most recent start. The 3-year-old filly drew post 5 in the field of 14. The Distaff runs as race 9 at 5:35 p.m. on Friday.
