Civetta down in trip for G3 Mamzelle Stakes

Gulfstream Park Stakes winner Civetta tries her hand at sprinting in the G3 Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs, USA, on Saturday, 10 May.

The Brendan Walsh-trained three-year-old made a winning introduction over the same extended five-furlong distance on dirt at Ellis Park in August but has stepped up in trip for her six subsequent turf appearances.

Beaten a neck in October’s G3 Matron Stakes, Civetta spent the winter at Gulfstream Park, where her four starts included victory in November’s Wait a While Stakes in and third-place finishes in the Ginger Brew Stakes and Sanibel Island Stakes.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Civetta is doing very well and showed her wellbeing with a very nice work last Saturday. Brendan is very pleased with her since she returned to Kentucky.

“The Mamzelle is a tough race with plenty of fillies with chances. The top six finishers in Keeneland’s Limestone Stakes re-oppose, so it will be ultra-competitive. Unfortunately, Civetta didn’t get any breaks with a wide draw [12] and will need a lucky trip.

“We felt that she might not been getting home in the longer races in Florida, so hopefully the drop back in distance will see her finish out the race better. We expect her to put in her usual good effort.”