CAPTAINS LOVER TO RACE IN THE STATES!

TEAM VALOR INTERNATIONAL Press Release

CAPTAIN'S LOVER TO RACE IN THE UNITED STATES WITH TRAINER TODD PLETCHER,
FIRST GOAL GRADE 1 MATRIARCH STAKES ON NOVEMBER 30 AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

Captain's Lover will launch a North American campaign on November 30 when French trainer Andre Fabre ships the South African Champion to Hollywood Park for the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes, reports Barry Irwin of Team Valor International.

Champion Filly at 3 in her homeland, the 4-year-old Captain Al filly won her French debut sprinting 7 furlongs in the Group 3 Prix du Pin and was beaten a head for third in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret over the same Longchamp course and distance in her only other start outside of South Africa.

"We think her next race will be her best in this form cycle," noted Irwin. "Andre likes the timing between races. The filly showed last time that 7 furlongs is too short for her best. She actually can get 9 furlongs. A mile may be her best trip however. We like the fact that this race is run under weight-for-age conditions."

Best in 5 of 8 outings, Captain's Lover will be turned over to trainer Todd Pletcher following the $500,000 Matriarch.

"Normally, we would have sent her to Dubai," Irwin said. "But we have a colt named Russian Sage that also was voted Champion Colt at 3 in South Africa who will shoot for the $5-million Dubai Duty Free, which is one of the reasons we decided to bring Captain's Lover to America."