By Joe Bianca
In what was likely the strongest juvenile filly maiden race of the Saratoga meet, Gainesway Stable's Cherry Lodge (Bernardini) and Lael Stables' Amapola (Broken Vow) threw down in a good stretch battle Aug. 7, with the former prevailing by one length to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status. Now the two will reunite again, each looking for atonement, in the GIII Matron S. Sunday at Belmont.
Cherry Lodge took a shot in the GI Spinaway S. next out Sept. 3, and was a disappointing third as the even-money choice. Amapola, who crossed the wire 9 3/4 lengths to the good in her debut May 25 at Gulfstream, only to be disqualified to sixth for interference on the turn, also disappointed at a short price next out, letting go of a clear stretch lead and finishing second at 2-5 to subsequent GI Frizette S. heroine Yellow Agate (Gemologist).
Pegged at 6-5 on the morning line, Cherry Lodge has burned up the Saratoga training track in the interim, producing a best-of-39 half-mile in :48 2/5 Oct. 1 and a best-of-36 four furlongs in :48 1/5 one week later. Amapola, made the 8-5 second choice, has worked more deliberately, coming in off a five-furlong spin in 1:02 flat at Big Sandy Oct. 8. The other three in the five-horse group appear overmatched.
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