KD Ladies Turf (Grade 3)- $350.000
KD- For Fillies and Mares Three Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
September 9, 2017
Heading into the inaugural running of the KD Ladies Turf, Condottieris Fox had won more over her career then anyone else in the field. The veteran had been very consistent lately, and nearly had a streak of winning every other race she ran since July 2016, and if you went by that, she would be due today. Condottieris Fox, the winner of last years KD Turf Sprint, successfully took care of business in this race, making her trainer Hawaiian Shirt Guy the person who can say they won the first edition of this race. J J Castellano, riding her for the third straight time, is the winning jockey. Congratulations to them! It was a close one, but the race was won in 1:33.12. Here’s a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :23.29)- The quickest out of the gate was Sunset Black, for Team 7 Illusions, with Glow Bright shining nicely for John Henry. It would not take long, however, for the Duracell, from her outermost post to get by both of them for her trainer, TwinTowersRacing, and it would be her with the lead at this point. Joining the fun at the front here was Three Little Birds for Threshold, while going three wide. From there, it was gap of about two lengths to a group of three who were content to ride in the middle of the field, with the winner, Condottieris Fox right in the middle of it for Hawaiian Shirt Guy. She was sandwiched here by Born From Ms Z (Mb Stables) and I Billieve (Sharis Stables). Typical Rich Girl (Smokey Stover) and Cant Touch That (D J C Racing Stables) were another length back, with Smokin Nebulae (Drabfantasy) nearby. Trailing was Pip Irish (Chili King Stables).
(½ Mile- :46.44)- As we began the run around this long turn, Duracell was outlasting the field, leading Sunset Black and Three Little Birds by a length. Those two appeared content to stalk. Glow Bright dropped back a length while I Billieve explored her options to the outside of Three Little Birds. Born From Mrs Z and Condottieris Fox were right in the middle of all of the action, but did not have much room to run quite yet. Cant Touch That looked for room to squeeze in herself at this stage. Typical Rich Girl was not getting involved as of yet while Smokin Nebulae dropped a length or so to keep Pip Irish company.
(Top Of Stretch, 2F To Go)- Duracell continues to look sharp here, showing no signs of running out of energy, but it looked like she would still need to find another gear. Sunset Black stalked to perfection up to this point, and was looking to make her move here. I Billieve was coming on real strong with a wide trip, but she had to cover a lot of extra race track while going around that turn. Three Little Birds could not keep up, and this was beneficial for the creation of a running lane that both Condottieris Fox and Born From Mrs Z could exploit, and the seized their opportunity. Cant Touch That was doing similar on the inside, but had more traffic trouble looming. Same story for Glow Bright. Typical Rich Girl wisely looked behind Born From Mrs Z to take advantage of that lane. Perhaps too late to be a winning move, but could be beneficial to slice through the pack. Smokin Nebulae had not started her run yet, and Pip Irish was running out of breath at the back.
(Finish- 1:33.12)- In a fantastic battle all the wire, that with as little as 0.7 furlongs to go, it looked like six of them could still win the race, it would be Condottieris Fox prevailing. She had been in the fifth lane, and in this type of battle, you have to go with the veteran who’s been there before. J J Castellano made sure she did not let up, and she would prevail over Born From Mrs Z just barely. Finishing third was Typical Rich Girl, marking the second straight race I have seen her come on powerfully at the end and just need a couple more strides in order to have picked up a herself. All three of these should be proud of their effort. Duracell worked hard for her fourth place check, and hung tough. Cant Touch That nips Sunset Black for fifth. I Billieve was very wide right here, and I didn’t have to make that up, the trip cost her. Smokin Nebulae simply got closer, but never threatened. After her, it’s those who were gassed. Three Little Birds tops Glow Bright at the end. Oh, and eventually Pip Irish finished, too.
About The Winner: Condottieris Fox, trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy, and ridden to victory by J J Castellano, is a five year old mare by Condottieri, and out of Five Dady Devil. She was bred in Kentucky by Jediminds Stable as a first quarter two year old, and acquired by Hawaiian Shirt Guy in April 2015 via a $25.000 claim. That one sure has worked out! Congratulations to the connections! The win is her 13th in 30 career starts, and it is her fifth graded win. Her career earnings now sit at $1,673.960.
Track: Firm
Time: :231 :462 1:092 1:33
$2 Mutuel Prices:
$1 Exacta: 2 – 1 Paid 87.50
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 1 – 10 Paid 1,177.20
— NS
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
