Concurrently lines up for the Grade 2 Demoiselle at Aqueduct Racetrack, seeking a first-time stakes strike

Mary Eddy

Set for Saturday, Klaravich Stables’ Concurrently is being aimed at a nine-furlong test for juvenile fillies, the Demoiselle worth $250,000, and the attempt at a winning stakes unveiling comes at Aqueduct Racetrack. Framed another way, the connections are targeting a quarter-million-dollar Grade 2, with the filly stepping into deeper waters; for instance, this is a classic route at 1 1/8 miles.

Slotted as the Demoiselle [Race 3], the event distributes qualifying points toward the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on a ten–five–three–two–one scale to the top five, and it forms part of an 11-race program capped by the Grade 2 Cigar Mile Handicap in Race 10. Also on tap: the Grade 2 Remsen in Race 9, the Grade 3 Elite Power in Race 5, plus two New York Stallion Stakes Series races at seven furlongs for eligible state-sired 2-year-olds—the Great White Way [Race 11] and the Fifth Avenue for fillies [Race 8]. First post is scheduled for 11:20 a.m. ET, an early window that often suits viewers and, for example, pari-mutuel players.

Concurrently arrives after breaking her maiden locally on November 2 going one mile for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, with the score achieved under returning pilot Flavien Prat. Having pressed the tempo before taking command by two at the stretch call, the American Pharoah bay then held firm, turning back Cara Fiore’s late bid by a half-length; think of a horse that quickens, then digs in inside the final sixteenth.

That performance followed a nose defeat to the reappearing Believable here in September when trying dirt for the first time, which came after a quiet sixth on debut over Saratoga Race Course turf in August. Switching surfaces, then, shifted the trajectory, while the earlier grass try served as a learning run.

Brown indicated that this fall the filly has thrived while preparing over the Belmont Park training track. He noted, as an example, that the routine there has produced incremental gains each week.

“She has really moved forward,” Brown said, emphasizing her progress at Belmont. “I started her off the wrong way by putting her on turf, but once we got her on dirt and let her build a route profile, the improvement followed. Last time demanded grit, and my read is that nine furlongs on dirt is what she’s asking for—the trip figures to play to her strengths.”

In her most recent run, Concurrently adopted more prominent tactics than in her first two appearances, a change Brown expects to persist as assignments lengthen. That shift, for example, often helps a developing router settle into a rhythm.

“As we stretch out, anticipate seeing that forward style again,” he said.

Purchased for roughly one hundred fifty thousand dollars at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Concurrently is out of Dreamcall, a Midnight Lute mare who earned Grade 3 black type. She is a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed stakes producer Glorified as well as to the unraced Oblige, whose produce includes Grade 1 winner Hunter O’Riley.

Prat retains the assignment and will break from post 4, a mid-gate draw that can simplify trip dynamics.

Todd Pletcher targets a ninth Demoiselle with Repole Stables’ Zany and Believable

Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher owns a record eight Demoiselle victories and now takes two swings at another, sending out the Repole Stables duo Zany [post 3, Irad Ortiz, Jr.] and Believable [post 6, John Velazquez, blinkers ON]. By diversifying pace scenarios—say, one on or near the lead and another tracking—he increases his leverage.

Zany launched her career with a 6 1/2-furlong score on November 2 at Gulfstream Park, carving out pressured fractions of 22.58 and 45.72 seconds under Emisael Jaramillo over a fast surface. On the clock at 1:16.98, the American Pharoah chestnut expanded a half-mile advantage of a length into a 6 1/2-length romp, a display that earned a field-topping 76 Beyer Speed Figure; for example, drawing off that far hints at both stamina and class.

A $350,000 acquisition at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Zany is out of Mo’ Green, a Grade 3-winning daughter of Uncle Mo. Since the debut she has posted two works at Palm Beach Downs, including a half-mile in 48.77 on November 29, a maintenance move typical of a fit sprinter-miler.

The stakes-placed Believable meets Shilling again after finishing second by four lengths to that rival in the Listed Tempted at one mile here on November 6. The Curlin bay sat fifth through the half, then swung five wide under Kendrick Carmouche and kept on to claim the minor share in her first attempt versus winners, a common stepping-stone type run.

Back in September at this track, Believable edged Concurrently by a nose at one mile with a pace-setting approach. Bought for eight hundred thousand dollars at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, she is out of the Tapit mare Temptress, which makes her a full sister to Tenfold, a dual graded-stakes millionaire.

Fern Circle Stables’ Shilling [post 2, Chris Elliott] bids for three straight following the aforementioned Tempted success over Believable. That sort of streak, for example, often signals a filly on the upswing.

Trained by Ken McPeek, the Global Campaign bay overcame a bobble at the break, seized the lead, and was not headed under Chris Elliott, who has partnered her in all three starts. The continuity with the rider can smooth out small in-race hiccups.

“Provided she copes with the additional ground, this looks a suitable spot,” McPeek said. “We’ve been very happy with her last two runs, and I think Jimmy [Jerkens, assistant] has her dialed in for this one as well.”

“That natural speed she’s displayed in the last pair has been central to both wins,” McPeek added. “I’m unsure who’ll keep her company early, but she owns enough pace to control things up front.”

Shilling’s Tempted score came right after a neck maiden victory at seven furlongs on October 16 here, a performance that yielded a career-top 75 Beyer. She cost one hundred five thousand dollars at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of Pounds to Pennies, a winning daughter of Exchange Rate.

Imaginary Stables’ Jumping the Gun [post 1, Julio Hernanez] enters off a runner-up finish in the White Clay Creek at Delaware Park on October 11 for trainer Andrew Simoff. The Gun Runner bay had previously opened her account with three straight Delaware wins, including the six-furlong Blue Hen by four and one-quarter lengths in August; for instance, that margin underscores her affinity for that oval.

Rounding out the cast is Lucky Hat Racing’s Ivy Girl [post 5, Manny Franco], who arrives after clearing the maiden ranks at the second asking going one mile here on November 15 for trainer Amelia Green. The move to a route clearly agreed with her.

America’s Day at the Races will air coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet across FOX Sports platforms. For telecast details and channel finder, see https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

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