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Newly Minted puts undefeated record on the line in NYSSS Cupecoy's Joy

by Ryan Martin

Beach Haven Thoroughbreds' undefeated Newly Minted will try turf for the first time in the $150,000 New York Stallion Stakes Series Cupecoy's Joy, a seven-furlong sprint on the Widener course carded for Sunday afternoon at Belmont Park.

Trainer Linda Rice has saddled the sophomore daughter of Central Banker to victories in all three career starts, all of which were against New York-bred company. After a stylish 5 3/4-length maiden victory over the main track on April 13 at Aqueduct, Newly Minted won the Park Avenue division of the NYSSS by 7 ½ lengths. Last out, she sat just off the pace, before rallying to win the Bouwerie on May 27 over a fast main track at Belmont Park.

Newly Minted worked over the inner turf at Belmont Park on June 16, where she went a half-mile in 48.40 seconds - the fastest of 18 recorded works at the distance that day.

"The Central Bankers have been running well on grass. I breezed her on the turf the other day and she seemed to handle it pretty well, so we're giving it a go," Rice said.

Bred in New York by Chester and Mary Broman, Newly Minted was purchased by her owners for $110,000 from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in April 2018. She is out of the Bernardini broodmare Newbie, whose dam Changeisgonnacome was stakes placed on grass.

Breaking from post 6, Newly Minted will be piloted by Jose Lezcano.

Kid Is Frosty will take another crack at Newly Minted after finishing second in the NYSSS Park Avenue two starts back. Never off the board in seven career starts, the daughter of Frost Giant recorded her first two career starts at Remington Park in Oklahoma for conditioner Scott Young before moving to trainer Brad Cox's barn in New York. She broke her maiden on February 23 over the main track at Aqueduct, defeating next out winner Behind the Couch by a half-length.

Bred in New York by Bad Boy Racing, Kid Is Frosty is out of the Lemon Drop Kid broodmare Murmure, who is a half-sister to Medolina - a stakes winner on grass.

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Kid Is Frosty from post 5.

Sackatoga Stable's Niko's Dream enters the Cupecoy's Joy fresh off of a maiden victory on grass. Trained by Barclay Tagg, the daughter of Central Banker graduated by a half-length on May 19 en route to earning a career-best 72 Beyer Speed Figure. Niko's Dream was placed in her prior two efforts against open company, including a close second to promising 3-year-old Café Americano on February 9 at Gulfstream Park.

Niko's Dream will be guided by Junior Alvarado from post 3.

Completing the field are Funny Money Honey [post 1, Jose Ortiz], Plink Freud [post 2, Luis Saez], Sweet Meadow Mist [post 4, Joel Rosario], Sterling Beauty [post 7, Dylan Davis] and Parton [post 8, Nathan Vickers].

The Cupecoy's Joy is slated as Race 5 on Sunday's 9-race card. First post is 1:30 p.m.