Pontenuovo Makes US Bow for Biancone

Bjorn Nielson’s Pontenuovo, already a Group 3 winner in her native France, will make her U.S. debut in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Boiling Springs Stakes, run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

The 3-year-old daughter of Green Tune has been in the barn of trainer Patrick Biancone for two months and shows three workouts in preparation for her American debut.

“This race is a good place for her to start,” Biancone said.  “Looking at her form and watching her work, I would think a mile and a sixteenth or a mile and an eighth would be her best distance.  She’s a real asset to have in the barn.”

Pontenuovo has only raced once since October 2010, finishing fourth last out in a Group 3 event at Newbury.

As a 3-year-old, she won the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg-Turkey Jockey Club at Deauville and finished third in the Group 1 Darley Prix Morny over the same course.

“She’s been working very well,” said Biancone of Pontenuovo, who’s most recent work was a bullet five furlongs on the Monmouth Park turf in 1:01 3/5 on June 15.  “I think you would have to say that she will improve coming out of this race, but I’m expecting her to run well.”

With the likes of Summer Soiree and War Prospector in the field, there appears to be ample speed in the Boiling Springs, and that’s just fine with Biancone.

“She appears to be a filly that will settle early and then come from behind,” he said.  “I would like to see a fast track, but I don’t think the condition is that important.  We’ll take what we can get.”