La Madrina to Make Stakes Debut in Raven Run

Trainer Shug McGaughey has been high on the talents of La Madrina, who will make her initial foray into stakes company when she goes postward Saturday in the Lexus Raven Run (G2).

“We have always thought she was pretty good,” McGaughey said of the Tapit filly, who has won three of four starts. “We knew this race was out there and this will be a big step up.”

Owned by breeder Emory Hamilton, La Madrina is a granddaughter of Chic Shirine, winner of the 1987 Ashland (G1) here. La Madrina’s dam, Enchanted Rock, ran only once in her career.

Javier Castellano, who has ridden La Madrina in her three wins, has the assignment Saturday.

La Madrina was one of three horses McGaughey brought to Keeneland this week. Tricky Hat (CHI) finished fourth in Thursday’s Sycamore (G3). This afternoon, he will send out Andrew Rosen’s Fashion Fund (GB) in the 24th running of the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Fashion Fund started her career in Europe and notched her maiden win here this spring over the Keeneland turf that was a labeled “good.”

“She should like (a less than firm course) given her background,” McGaughey said. “The only time she ran a bad race for me, it was a little soft, but there may have been other factors that day.”

McGaughey, who won the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Orb, did not get a chance for a second win this spring when his top prospect, Honor Code, was sidelined in March by a slight tear in his right hind upper suspensory.

Honor Code returned to the work tab in September at Fair Hill in Maryland.

“He is back at Belmont now and we hope to get him started in November,” McGaughey said.

 

Source: Keeneland Communications