Trainer Christophe Clement likely will point a pair of fillies for the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap with the British-bred
Aigue Marine set to join his string after starting her career in France in the care of his brother, Nicholas, and Grade 2 New York winner
Mystical Star returning to turf following a runner-up effort on the Polytrack at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Spinster earlier this month.
“Mystical Star most
probably will go here, though I might run her in a 1 ¼-mile race at
Woodbine next weekend on the Polytrack,” Clement said, referring to the
Maple Leaf Stakes on Saturday, November 3. “I’ll
speak to the owner. She’s doing very well and she came back from the
Spinster very well.
“Aigue Marine is coming
– she’s trained by my older brother Nicolas and she will stay with me
after the race,” Clement continued. “She’s an improving 3-year-old
filly. The dam, Aiglonne, came to the states and
I trained her. She was a useful 1 ½-mile type horse.”
In August, Aigue Marine won the
Prix Association Graine d'Avenir-Grand Prix de Clairefontaine at Clairefontaine-Deauville, a race run at the 1 ½-mile
Long Island distance.
NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes said that
Kissable and Starformer, the 1-2 finishers from the Waya Stakes in August at Saratoga Race Course, were also probable for the
Long Island. Clarinet, Senada, and
Tannery were listed as possible.