Kewney Doll’s Compete for Division Lead
3889.5314 – G3 The Kewney Stakes
Fillies, 3 Years Old
One Mile (8F)
TURF: Firm
A capacity crowd was on hand at the Old Vic on Victoria Cup Day to take in the day’s festivities and enjoy the best of what the Sport of King’s has to offer. In addition to the big race, the undercard included competitive fields in both the Graded Newmarket Handicap and The Kewney Stakes, the latter boasting several of the top fillies in the three year old division. In addition to fab36’s BLUE GREEN HUNTER(KY) and racine3’s ICE AND SNOW(JPN), there was an abundance of speed offered in by the likes of HIGH HILL PROSPECT(IRE) manorsquar and EVITA PERON(KY) eirann3 making for an exciting edition. It didn’t take long for the expected speed duel to unfold as jockey Bailey shot to the lead with his charge BLUE GREEN HUNTER(KY) with both HIGH HILL PROSPECT(IRE) and EVITA PERON(KY) hot on her heels. Tucked in behind those two were SUZY’S AWESOME(KY) snag and FRACTURE(KY) rocket34. By the half mile pole, BGH had managed to carve out only a slim lead of a length while she tried in vain to pull away. The relative positions of the fillies remained largely unchanged through the first half as a mere eight lengths separated first from last. Stalking off the pace in mid-pack was a tightly bunched group led by eventual winner GORGEOUS TRICKSTER(IRE), XXX and ICE AND SNOW(JPN). GORGEOUS TRICKSTER(IRE) sat five lengths off the lead throughout most of the race as jockey Lipps sat chilly preferring to save ground along the rail while other used up valuable energy. He was quoted later as saying “I knew I had lots of horse underneath me and it was just a matter of needing a lane turning for home as they were tightly bunched in front of me.” Running for daylight, she exploded along the rail as the lead group drifted off of it through the stretch, she pulled away to win by a just over a length. EVITA PERON(KY) held on gamely to finish second with CAPITAL KINDNESS(KY) less than a quarter length behind her for third. SHE MIGHT BE GIANT(KY) gradeone trailed early and just couldn’t get hold of the deep turf today and though she did make progress throughout couldn’t overcome a disastrous start. Tab her for later as she’ll likely be lightly regarded at the windows. No doubt we’ll see many of these fillies in here ultimately competing for division honours throughout this 2009 season.
GRADED HANDICAPS: Hladun said …
PP3: 155239 GORGEOUS TRICKSTER(IRE) eirann3 (11/1)
Montjeu x Kris S. x Alydar
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 126
WINS: 2 BANK: $70,335
“This gal has ducked nobody in her quest for “blacktype” competing in three graded races to date including a Grade 1 and tries again here in this spot. As a two year old she did finish second by two lengths at today’s distance in the Kristrical Fools Memorial Stakes. She comes into this race having competed in the G2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Oaks Stakes three weeks ago finishing a well beaten eighth. A large step forward would be required to compete here today and she must prove herself first.”
PP812: 161167 EVITA PERON(KY) puracrema (6/1)
Distorted Humor x Nureyev x Raise A Native
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 64
WINS: 4 BANK: $142,100
“Another speedy filly looking to prove herself in graded company for the first time, this daughter of Distorted Humor comes into this race off a nose loss in the Sawdust Handicap over eight and a half furlongs. Prior to her latest, she was on a three race win streak including a win in the Rainbow Bridge II Special Stakes at today’s mile covering the distance in 1:35:4 (97). A threat to wire this field!”
PP1: 175068 CAPITAL KINDNESS(KY) screaming (19/1)
North Light(IRE) x Machiavellian x Shadeed
TURF CLASSIC RANK: 431
WINS: 2 BANK: $51,140
“With only one start as a two year old, this improving daughter of North Light(IRE) comes into the Kewney off an Allowance win in California where she covered today’s distance in 1:36:2 (91). Today she meet’s Stakes opponents for the first time however her running style and inside post sets her up for a potential upset. If she’s able to build on her climbing speed ratings today and take the next step, the only surprise will be how we missed getting on this longshot after it’s all but too late.”
MEDIA NOTES:
· Only the winner, GORGEOUS TRICKSTER(IRE) managed to crack the triple digit speed figure barrier with a 101 covering the distance in a rather pedestrian (for this class) 1:35:1 given the firm surface today.
· GORGEOUS TRICKSTER(IRE) paid $24.00 (11-1). $2 Exactor (3-12) paid a healthy $202.30. The winning triactor combination of 3-12-1 paid a robust $3,387.50 for those who so fortunate to include CAPITAL KINDNESS(KY) underneath (see my pre-race comments above).