Connections Bocca Baciata have revealed the filly could be set for a trip to America for the Beverley D. Stakes at Arlington Park.
The daughter of Big Bad Bob was an impressive winner of the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran Park earlier in the season when she was giving weight all round and put in a career best on her last outing.
Jessica Harrington‘s charge finished second to dual Classic heroine Minding in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last weekend and earned plenty of praise for her performance. Bocca Bacianta was given a confident, front-running ride by Colm O’Donoghue and, although she was reeled in by Minding, finished a long way ahead of Lucida, Speedy Boarding and Koora.
Having proved she can mix with the best at the top level, she could now cross the Atlantic and line-up for the Beverley D. in Illinois, a race that European raiders have an excellent record in.
A win in the Beverley D. would also guarantee Bocca Baciata a place in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf later in the season.
Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners, Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, said: “It was a great ride by Colm and great tactics from Jessica, she nearly nicked it.
“She’s really enjoying her racing at present.
