By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 3 Coronation Cup is the eighth race at Saratoga on Saturday, July 18. The race offers a $225,000 purse and is contested at 5½ furlongs on the turf for three-year-old fillies.
With only six runners entered (excluding the two main-track-only horses), pace will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome. Here’s my look at each contender and how I see the race unfolding.
Pace Analysis
With a compact field, early position should be especially important.
Cy Fair and Sapphire Beach appear to be the two most likely pace factors. John Velazquez is an aggressive rider and may send Cy Fair from the inside to secure the lead. However, Sapphire Beach has enough natural speed to either pressure the pace or sit comfortably just outside the leader.
That tactical advantage could prove decisive if the pace remains moderate, making life difficult for the late runners.
Quiet Street (#1)
Quiet Street began her career with back-to-back turf sprint victories, including an impressive maiden win at Saratoga where she rallied from last to first. She followed that debut effort with a stakes victory before facing tougher competition at mostly longer distances in subsequent starts.
The biggest concern is race shape. In a small field without an abundance of early speed, Quiet Street figures to settle near the back early and will need a favorable pace to set up her late kick. She also needs to improve on the speed figures she’s earned this season to return to her best form.
She has enough talent to make an impact late, but the projected pace scenario makes her a difficult horse to back on top.
Cy Fair (#2)
Cy Fair has been one of the most consistent turf sprinters in this division. Through six turf sprint starts, she owns four wins, one second, and one third while consistently earning competitive speed figures.
After winning her Saratoga debut last summer, she finished a close second in a stakes race over the same course before capping her juvenile campaign with a victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. She returned this season with a close third in the Limestone Stakes before capturing a Grade 3 at Churchill Downs.
John Velazquez reunites with the filly after riding her in her first two career starts. Her early-pressing speed gives Johnny V plenty of options, and from post two she could either set the pace or sit just off the leader.
She deserves plenty of respect.
Sapphire Beach (#3)
Sapphire Beach enters in excellent form after finishing a neck second in the Limestone Stakes before returning to win an allowance at Churchill Downs.
One of the biggest reasons she appeals is her tactical versatility. She has enough early speed to contest the lead if necessary, but she is equally effective stalking just behind the front runners. Drawing just outside Cy Fair should allow Jose Ortiz to watch what develops inside before committing to a trip.
Her recent speed figures continue to improve, and her last two races suggest she is sitting on another strong effort. Even though her final-time figure dipped slightly in her most recent victory, that came after she recorded a significantly faster pace rating, making the performance better than it may initially appear.
Everything points toward another quality performance.
Cadenza (#4)
Cadenza has quietly put together a consistent record, winning twice in three turf starts before finishing third in the Grade 3 Soaring Softly Stakes at Saratoga.
She possesses tactical speed and should secure a stalking trip behind the expected leaders. Her recent pace figures also indicate she has enough versatility to adapt if the early fractions are slower than expected.
She’s a logical contender and appears capable of hitting the board once again.
Hark Theangelssing (#5)
Hark Theangelssing has won three of five career starts, including the Stormy Blues Stakes last time out.
While her recent performance was impressive, this represents a step up in class. She’ll need another forward move to threaten the top choices against this stronger field.
Snow Face Princess (#6)
Snow Face Princess is undefeated in two starts at Saratoga, both coming at today’s 5½-furlong distance. However, she has yet to regain that form since moving to Steve Asmussen’s barn.
She hasn’t reproduced the speed figures from her best races last year. While she’s capable of improving after a brief freshening, she’ll need a significant turnaround to contend for the victory.
