Nook Queen Topples Top Three Turf Fillies in Penn Debutante
It was meant to sort out the Eclipse award for three year old turf filly. But nobody told Nook Queen. The bookies liked her chances, as she was lining up with six consecutive wins on the board, but she wasn’t supposed to make mincemeat of the three top ranked turf fillies in the sim. Nobody told Nook Queen. Culinary Cutie led the stakes points race by a mile. Torch the Flame had had a stellar year and Buda For a Day was looking for her fourth Grade 1 victory for 2007. Nobody told Nook Queen. It doesn’t matter how good your allowance and ungraded form is, you don’t line up for your first ever Graded challenge in one of the toughest Grade 1 events of the year. But nobody told Nook Queen!
As expected, there were not a lot of runners looking for the early lead, and most horses slotted into their expected running positions without a great deal of difficulty. Nothin’ To Lose was first out and crossed comfortably, Culinary Cutie content to sit outside her half a length back. Zalba crossed behind the leader into a handy spot. Infernal Tutor made the most of the rail and settled with Mendela outside her. Torch the Flame splitting them in the running order, but caught three wide. Silver Glory, Theory of Love and Boc Dragonball Z made the next line, with Lady’s New Cause inside them. The Edge came next, while Nook Queen, Extra Smart and Buda for a Day dropped right out in the early stages.
Once settled, jockeys were content to retain their positions for the next few furlongs, before the race became serious. On the turn it was Culinary Cutie noticed as the first mover. Infernal Tutor and Torch the Flame were quick to respond. Nothin’ to Lose was under pressure but refusing to yield, while Zalba was first to throw in the white towel. From further back Lady’s New Cause was putting in her run, and Nook Queen came storming from nowhere. The Edge, Extra Smart and Buda for a Day were also making inroads, but not with any great authority
By the time they straightened Culinary Cutie had the measure of Nothin’ To Lose. Infernal Tutor and Torch the Flame were trying, but no making inroads. It was now up to the closers. No, just one closer, and she was storming. Nook Queen was coming, but Culinary Cutie was refusing to surrender. The momentum was with Nook Queen, however, and she moved alongside Culinary Cutie within the shadows of the post, to land the trophy with three quarters of a length to spare
Culinary Cutie lost no admirers in her gallant quest for the last major of the season.
Infernal Tutor had held a forward position throughout, and fought on gamely for third, less than two lengths from the winner.
Lady’s New Cause made good ground from the rear for fourth, without ever looking a threat.
Nothin’ To Lose, despite being caught a long way out, boxed on well for final check.
Torch the Flame, in the running throughout, was unlucky to go home empty handed, beaten just four lengths and returning a solid 106 speed rating
The Edge, Buda For a Day, and Extra Smart all worked home well, and all returned triple digit ratings, as did Silver Glory, despite fading late.
Theory of Love and Boc Dragonball Z were in the mix early, but couldn’t extend when called upon
Zalba was up there but wilted under pressure.
Nook Queen is a three year old daughter of Kingmambo / Nook (Nureyev / Riverman). She’s the first foal of the dam. This was the filly’s tenth win from thirteen starts and lifts her earnings to just below $850,000. She ran the eight furlongs in 1.34.0 and returned a speed rating of 111. Previous rated # 127 in her division, this win elevates her to # 17.
Perko1 is a member of the 31 stable “The Conglomerate”, a group noted for patience and loyalty with their horses Book Queen is the stable star, while other six figure earners in the barn include Fusaichi Yell, Peintre Glen and King’s Way.