Ogden Phipps in emerging star American Gal's 'comfort zone'

Kaleem Shah's multiple graded-stakes winner American Gal is slated to run at Belmont Park during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival and will either go in the Grade 1, $750,000 Ogden Phipps or the Grade 3, $250,000 Bed o' Roses Invitational, trainer Simon Callaghan said by phone from California on Sundaymorning.

American Gal has posted three graded stakes in her last four starts, including a two-length score in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff on May 5 at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Concord Point filly has since breezed twice at Santa Anita, going five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Thursday.

Callaghan said a planned breeze next week will help determine if American Gal stays at a more comfortable distance of seven furlongs and goes in the Bed o' Roses on Friday, June 8, or will stretch out to the Ogden Phipps distance of 1 1/16 miles on Belmont Stakes Day, June 9.

"I think it's within her comfort zone," Callaghan said about the Ogden Phipps, which is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders' Cup Longines Distaff on November 3 at Churchill. "She's a filly who is obviously very fast and also very relaxed. I think it's definitely within her range. We're not totally committed to it yet, but we'll see."

As a 3-year-old, American Gal won her first start at Belmont Park, going gate-to-wire in win the 6 ½-furlong Grade 3 Victory Ride on Big Sandy and followed that effort with a four-length win over Faypien in the Grade 1 Test over seven furlongs at Saratoga Race Course.

The Kentucky homebred received a freshening after the win at the Spa and returned to run fourth in the Grade 1 Madison on April 7 before her Humana win.

"I pretty much know the fillies who will be running against her, so it's something I'll chat about with the owner," Callaghan said. "We have another breeze to go and we'll see after that."

In eight career starts, American Gal has posted five wins with each victory coming on a different track - Del Mar, Santa Anita, Belmont, Saratoga and Churchill Downs - while posting a runner-up effort at Los Alamitos. Callaghan said her shipping ability, along with her previous victory over Belmont's main track, gives him confidence to send her anywhere.

"It's nice in regards to winning at different tracks. She's shown she's a versatile filly," Callaghan said. "She ships very well. She has a firm disposition and constitution. She handles everything well, and the fact that she's won over that surface before is a benefit."

Callaghan also said Moonshine Memories, who was second in the Angels Flight on May 12 at Santa Anita, is targeting the Grade 1 Acorn for 3-year-old fillies on Belmont Stakes Day. The daughter of Malibu Moon won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante and Grade 1 Chandelier as a juvenile before capping her 2-year-old campaign with a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4.

Tijori, a 2-year-old Will Take Charge filly who won her debut on May 11 at Santa Anita, is slated to make her first stakes appearance in the $150,000 Astoria on Opening Day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 7. The Astoria, at 5 ½ furlongs on the main track, is one of three stakes on that day's card.

Callaghan said his contingent is expected to arrive in New York on Tuesday, June 5.