BUDA AT THE SLEW takes Saint Larry

By ITCH

Topicount’s BUDA AT THE SLEW rose to No. 5 in the long turf division and No. 7 in the route turf division for 3yo fillies with a stout score here in Paris on Saturday in the $500,000 Grade I Saint Larry.

Racing on only two weeks’ rest, Buda at the Slew showed no ill effects and instead ran the best race of her life, bounding home much the best and earning a lifetime-best speed figure of 105.

A lot of the credit for that big speed figure goes to the second-place runner, Tees Stable’s HOOHAH, who made this writer look foolish with a very strong effort. Hoohah set the pace and took a lot of passing by BATS. What’s more, Hoohah stuck with the winner after she went by, carrying her speed resolutely until the end. Her strong effort put her 8 1/2 lengths clear of the show filly, which was Foxon’s FANTASY UPDATE. An impressive race for Hoohah, who did indeed show herself classwise.

But, the race belonged to the favorite. Buda at the Slew pressed Hoohah throughout, then passed and drew away even as that one ran her eyeballs out.

Thanks for the trip to Paris, and it’s back to West Virginia to spend these credits.