Race: Spinster – Grade I [BC] • Distance/Surface: 1 1/8 miles, Dirt • Purse: $650.00 • Track: Keeneland (Fast)
Final time: 1:47.92 • Fractions: :47.1 • 1:11.1 • 1:35.4 • 1:47.4
Winner: Starting Over (Owner: TwinTowersRacing) • Jockey: Lezcano J
Exotics: $1 Exacta 4–1 $105.10 • $1 Trifecta 4–1–8 $58.40
Order of finish: 4 Starting Over • 1 Barossa Valley • 8 Wasted Away • 2 Soviet Shadow • 7 Fire Chief • 6 Devil In High Heels • 3 Liquor In Front • 9 Intimate • 5 Ifyerwokeyerajoke

Race Recap

Starting Over delivered a vintage Spinster stretch run, storming from well back to nab Barossa Valley late and post a 1:47.92 victory for TwinTowersRacing under Lezcano J. The 7-year-old mare was eighth early, still eighth halfway, and only began to thread through traffic around the far turn. She swung into the lane with clear momentum, overhauled the pacesetter inside the final sixteenth, and finished with authority.

Barossa Valley (Mo Mentum Farm, Curtis B) was intent from the bell—pressing, then taking command by the half and still in front turning for home. She dug in through the final furlong but could not repel the winner’s sustained rally, holding second.

Wasted Away (Mb Stables, Velazquez J R) tracked from midpack, in the second flight throughout. She inched closer on the far turn and kept on steadily to secure third. Soviet Shadow (Mb Stables, Gaffalione T) sat an ideal inside trip behind the speed, moved to second at the top of the stretch, and flattened late while staying on for fourth.

Fire Chief (Aer Stables, Ortiz I Jr) saved ground midpack, tried to quicken in upper stretch, and ran evenly to the wire in fifth. Favored Devil In High Heels (The Sidley Stud, Lopez P) never got involved from well back early; she passed a couple in the lane without threatening the principals. Liquor In Front (Riggins Racing, Husbands P) was midpack early, tipped out on the turn, and lacked the late punch. Intimate (Team 7 Illusions, Corrales G) flashed sharp speed to make the lead into the first turn and to the backstretch, but tired through the lane. Ifyerwokeyerajoke (TwinTowersRacing, Franco M) showed brief pace tracking the second flight before retreating late.

Flow & Calls

• Break & to the 1/4 (:47.1): Intimate won the dash to the first call, with Barossa Valley pressing right alongside. Soviet Shadow held a stalking spot in third; Ifyerwokeyerajoke and Liquor In Front tracked the second flight. Starting Over settled near the rear with Devil In High Heels, while Wasted Away and Fire Chief sat in midpack watching the duel.
• Down the backstretch to the 1/2 (1:11.1): Barossa Valley took over and tried to stack them up; Intimate kept close but began to feel pressure. Soviet Shadow traveled sweetly just behind the leader. Starting Over was still well back but improving rhythm; Wasted Away and Fire Chief maintained position; Devil In High Heels remained unhurried.
• Far turn to the mile (1:35.4): Barossa Valley still in front turning for home; Soviet Shadow advanced to second and loomed. Starting Over launched a circling move, emerging into the clear with momentum. Wasted Away picked a path and edged closer; Liquor In Front was asked but stalled. Intimate yielded; Devil In High Heels tried a late outside bid.
• Stretch (final 1:47.4): Starting Over sustained her rally, ranged up, and forged past Barossa Valley inside the final sixteenth. Wasted Away stayed on for third; Soviet Shadow held fourth. Fire Chief ran on evenly, Devil In High Heels passed tiring rivals late, Liquor In Front flattened, Intimate faded after her early exertions, and Ifyerwokeyerajoke stayed at the back.

What’s Next for the Winner?

Off this Grade I success at 9 furlongs, Starting Over has earned a direct shot at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff [G1] as a logical next target. The trip, running style, and final time fit the profile for that championship engagement.

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 1 Paid 105.10
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 1 – 8 Paid 58.40

Scratched: None

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES