Abel Tasman to test deep field in Grade 1 Cotillion

TSV Staff Selections —-

Abel Tasman (outside) holds off Elate in G1 CCA; CoglianesePhotos/Chelsea Durand

PARX

Race 10, 1&1/16th Miles Cotillion S. Grade I. Purse $1,000,000 FOR FILLIES THREE YEAR OLDS
Post Time: ( 4:55)/ 3:55/ 2:55/ 1:55

China Horse Club’s 4-time Grade 1 winner Abel Tasman returns to racing following a two month freshening to face eleven rivals in the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes from PARX Race Course.

Daughter of Quality Road exits perhaps her best effort in taking the Grade 1 Coaching Club of America this past July at Saratoga, her third straight Grade 1 victory.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith stays for his fifth start aboard, and when he’s teamed with fellow Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert, they’ve visited the winner’s circle with nearly half of their mounts together.

Second and third place finishers from the G1 Alabama, It Tiz Well and Salty return to challenge, with the latter having been defeated by Abel Tasman three times.

Todd Pletcher sends out a trio from the Repole Stable, but with Hall of Fame rider Johnny Velazquez named on each, one or more could be in line for the scratch board.

Probably the most interesting starters set to go to post is Juddmonte Farms, Bill Mott trained Lockdown, who though finishing up empty in the Alabama, was all-game in placing in the Kentucky Oaks.

The field for the Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes: 1) Thirstforhtecup, Pletcher/Velazquez; 1a) Stay Fond, Pletcher/Velazquez; 1x) Run and Go, Pletcher/Velazquez; 2) Lockdown, Mott/Ortiz, J; 3) Actress, Servis/Carmouche; 4) Proud and Fearless, Jones/Pedroza; 5) It Tiz Well, Hollendorfer/Van Dyke; 6) Mopotism, O’Neill/Gutierrez; 7) Sine Wave, Perkins/Albarado; 8) Teresa Z, Margotta/Castellano; 9) Abel Tasman, Baffert/Smith; 10) Salty, Casse/Gaffalione.

Selections: 9, 5, 10, 2