Cirona to transfer to Chad Brown after Belmont Oaks start

Peter Bradley said he is excited to see the North American debut of Group 1-placed Cirona in Saturday’s Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies at Belmont Park.

Cirona, co-owned by Bradley Thoroughbreds with Tim Cambron, Anna Cambron, Kent Starr, Sara Starr and Gary Finder, was bred in Great Britain and campaigned in France by trainer Christophe Ferland, registering three triumphs led by a prominent victory in the Prix de la Grotte (G3) on April 18 at Longchamp going one mile.

The daughter of Maxios missed by a head after setting the pace in the Prix Saint Alary (G1) on May 24 in her 1 1/4-mile debut, then she was a close 10th in the Prix de Diane (G1) on June 20 at Chantilly.

After the Belmont Oaks, Cirona is scheduled to remain in the U.S., where she will race under the tutelage of four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.

The National Weather Service calls for a 95 percent chance of rain showers the day before the Belmont Oaks, which could result in some give in the ground for Saturday’s race.

“A filly like this is right in Chad’s wheelhouse,” said Bradley. “It doesn’t look like there will be firm going up there. I don’t think some cut in the ground ever hurts with 90 percent of European horses. I don’t see where the turf will be problematic regardless of what it is this week.”

Bradley said Cirona should be able to deliver at 10 furlongs, given how well she has performed at the distance in her last two starts. In the 1 5/16-mile Prix de Diane, Cirona was beaten only 3 1/4 lengths.

“When you’re beaten a head over a mile and a quarter, that means she can probably get the distance,” Bradley said. “The race in the Diane probably didn’t set up well for her. While she was 10th, she was only beaten three lengths. She broke her maiden first out over six furlongs. She’s shown a turn of foot, and she can be tactically placed. When she raced over in Europe, she’s been close to or on the lead, but she doesn’t need the lead. In these races, you should be in the first four of five spots if you can.”

Breaking from post 2, Cirona will be ridden by Jose Lezcano.

Bradley went on to express excitement in possible stakes contenders for the upcoming Saratoga meet, including recent Wild Applause runner-up Minaun who will target the $150,000 Lake George (G3) on July 23.

The Brown-trained Minaun won her U.S. debut in April, defeating winners going six furlongs over the Widener turf in her first start since capturing the Marble Hill (G3) last July at Cork.

“Sometimes with these European horses, especially ones going from two to three, it takes them a while to acclimate,” Bradley said. “We would have liked to point to the Breeders’ Cup last year, but it didn’t happen. Chad is good at making sure that the second half of the 3-year-old year is what gets pointed for.”

Minaun is owned by Bradley Thoroughbreds in partnership with Iris Smith Stable and Rigney Racing.

La Signare, a last out second in the Gamely (G1) at Santa Anita on May 31, is probable for the $500,000 Diana (G1) on July 17, a race that Bradley previously captured with Dacita in 2016.

Winless in her last seven starts, the French-bred daughter of Siyouni trained by Brendan Walsh seeks her first victory since taking the Sand Springs last March at Gulfstream Park.

“She’s been knocking on the door and hopefully we’ll get past it in this race. She ran huge in the Gamely,” Bradley said.

La Signare, who boasts an 18: 3-3-4 record, is owned by Bradley in partnership with Madaket Stables, Tim Cambron and Anna Cambron.

The same partnership, along with Team Hanley, owns recent graded stakes-winner Mintd, who upset Juliet Foxtrot to capture the Mint Julep (G3) on June 12 at Churchill Downs for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Bradley said the Irish-bred daughter of Olympic Glory is possible for the $400,000 Ballston Spa (G2) on Aug 28.

Bradley and Walsh also will soon team up with Keeper of Time, who could make her North American debut during the Saratoga meet. The sophomore daughter of Mehmas recently defeated subsequent Group 1 winner Joan of Arc in the Irish 1000 Guineas Trial (G3) on April 11 at Leopardstown.