SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – There likely won’t be many who take on Thorpedo Anna in the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 21, but Mystic Lake is expected to be one of them.
Mystic Lake, a dominant 5 3/4-length winner of the Charles Town Oaks on Aug. 23, is being pointed to the Cotillion, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. While run at seven furlongs, the Charles Town Oaks was contested around two turns. The Cotillion is run at 1 1/16 miles around two turns.
“She was very impressive stretching out to two turns,” said Joseph, who trains Mystic Lake for C2 Racing, headed by Mark Cornett. “Mark wants to give the Cotillion a try. Obviously, the champ’s going there. Maybe she’ll keep everybody away and we’ll be happy to pick up a Grade 1 placing if possible.”
In her lone try at 1 1/16 miles, Mystic Lake finished third in the Mazarine Stakes, run last November over Woodbine’s synthetic surface.
“She’s proven to be not as good on the Tapeta as the dirt,” Joseph said. “Is she going to go the distance? I can’t tell you for sure.”