Callaghan Likes Turning Top in Frankel

Turning Top led much of the way before finishing fourth in the Grade I Yellow Ribbon Stakes in her last start, on Oct. 1. The Irish-bred Pivotal mare could find herself on the lead again in Sunday’s Grade II, $150,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf, but trainer Simon Callaghan says it ain’t necessarily so.

“She doesn’t have to race on the lead,” Callaghan said. “It’s just that nothing really went (to the front) in the Yellow Ribbon (won by Turning Top’s stablemate, the recently retired Dubawi Heights), so she found herself in front. She’s very versatile. If there’s speed, she can sit in behind; if there isn’t she can be on the lead. She’s straightforward.

“But I don’t see much speed in the Frankel, so I’d imagine we’ll be certainly forwardly placed if we’re not on the lead. She runs well fresh and seems in really good form. It looks like a good spot for her.” The field for the Frankel: Bauble Queen, Garrett Gomez; Celestial Kitten, Mike Smith; City to City, Rafael Bejarano; Turning Top, David Flores; Whisper Louise, Victor Espinoza; and Miss Mittagong, Joel Rosario.