Mythical, Unbeaten and Ambitious, Targets Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga

The St Patrick’s Day Filly, Trained by Venezuelan José Delgado, Seeks a Statement Win en Route to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Mythical After Her Victory Over the Boys in the Tremont Stakes / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Mythical, the St Patrick’s Day filly owned by Arindel and trained by Venezuelan Jorge Delgado, comes into the Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga this Saturday with an unbeaten record of 3-for-3. The 7-furlong race serves as a direct qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar.

The chestnut has displayed front-running speed in all her starts under Emisael Jaramillo, progressing steadily in both distance and class. She debuted in April at Gulfstream Park, winning by 8½ lengths over 4 furlongs, then followed with two wins at Saratoga: first in the Tremont Stakes (L) against males on June 5, and later in the Adirondack Stakes (G3) against her own sex on August 3.

Delgado, based at Monmouth Park, expressed his excitement about bringing his star filly back to Saratoga: “It’s special to have a filly good enough to compete at this level. We’re trying to enjoy every moment,” he said.

The decision to run in the Tremont against males rather than the Astoria Stakes (L) for fillies was strategic. “We knew we had the speed to control the race,” Delgado explained. Mythical dominated from gate to wire, finishing in 1:03.57, 3½ lengths clear of Blinging It Back (Volatile), with Romeo (Honor A. P.) back in third. That performance earned her a Beyer Speed Figure of 93, the highest of the group.

In the Adirondack, Mythical again set the pace with fractions of :21.99 and :44.86, finishing strongly in 1:17.20 to defeat Meringue (Frosted) without threat.

Delgado highlighted her natural speed as a key weapon. “She’s small but has a huge heart. When the bell rings, she just wants to run. She knows where the wire is and enjoys it. Emisael understands her perfectly—it’s the ideal partnership.”

Saturday will mark Mythical’s first try at 7 furlongs, a challenge Delgado faces with confidence: “Based on her workouts and how she moves in gallops, I don’t expect any issues covering the extra half-furlong. We’ve gradually stretched her out, and since winning the Tremont we knew this was the summer goal.”

Although she turned her head toward the stands in the Adirondack, Delgado attributes it to curiosity: “She’s very smart and aware of her surroundings. Sometimes she knows too much, so Emisael must keep her focused. But she runs like an arrow—straight and true.”

Delgado is confident about race tactics: “We know our plan, and I think the others do too. Anyone trying to go with her is welcome, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

By pedigree, Mythical is out of Lailoni (Brethren), and her second dam is Dat You Miz Blue (Cure the Blues), a graded stakes winner in New York.

Her main rivals include Percy’s Bar (Upstart), who won the Debutante Stakes (L) at Churchill Downs by 5 lengths after a successful debut at Keeneland; Ornellaia (Girvin), a $1.1 million purchase who debuted with an impressive Saratoga victory on August 2; and Tommy Jo (Into Mischief), who scored comfortably in her first start, posting a solid Beyer 85.

The Spinaway Stakes (G1) will be the 11th race on Saturday’s Saratoga card, which features 13 races in total, including the Prioress Stakes (G3) and the Flower Bowl (G2), a Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) qualifier.