Monomoy Girl pointed to Churchill Downs' Grade 1 La Troienne

Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables' Monomoy Girl returned to graded stakes-winning form on Saturday with a two-length triumph in the Grade 2 Ruffian at Belmont Park, earning a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure.

Owner Sol Kumin of Monomoy Stables said he was pleased with the winning effort.

"It was so great to see her back," Kumin said. "She had been training so well going into the race, and this was just so exciting to see."

Monomoy Girl will look to build on Saturday's victory with a possible start in the La Troienne (G1) on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs, going 1 1/16 miles.

Trained by Brad Cox, Monomoy Girl was crowned Champion 3-Year-Old Filly in 2018, winning five Grade 1 races, including the Acorn and Coaching Club American Oaks on the NYRA circuit, en route to a triumph against elders in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs.

The 5-year-old Tapizar chestnut did not race at age 4 and was sent to WinStar Farm last spring after a mild case of colic and suffered an injury to her hamstring last fall when preparing for a potential comeback.

Prior to her Ruffian score, Monomoy Girl bested an optional claiming field over a sloppy main track going a one-turn mile at Churchill Downs by 2 3/4 lengths.

"Most likely she'll come back in the La Troienne," Kumin said. "It's a good distance, there's good spacing between her races, and it's at Churchill Downs, which is right at her front door. We'll discuss it further with the rest of the partners, but more than likely that's where you'll see her."

Kumin is also a part owner of reigning Champion Older Filly Midnight Bisou as well as dual G1 winner She's a Julie.