Scylla takes the next step up in class in Fleur de Lis

“All systems go, we’re ready for the Fleur de Lis.”

That was the confident response from Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s chief assistant, Kenny McCarthy, when asked about Scylla’s preparations for Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Juddmonte, Scylla is the heavy 6-5 favorite against a compact field of five rivals in the 1 1/8-mile contest. A regally bred daughter of Tapit out of the champion mare Close Hatches, McCarthy has overseen much of Scylla’s development over her six-race career.

“She’s really continued to train great here with us at Churchill after the Shawnee,” McCarthy said. “She’s shown a lot of natural talent, and she’s really starting to figure it all out mentally, too. The Fleur de Lis is a tough race. We have a lot of respect for the fillies and mares she’ll be facing Saturday.”

The Fleur de Lis is part of the Breeders’ Cup dirt dozen series, where the top three finishers will receive partial entry fees paid should they compete in the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.