Four year old bay filly captures her third Grade III title to add to her showcase, sitting proudly beside her Gr.I QE II Challenge Cup and her Grade II Lake Placid. Will be interesting to see if she attempts the Gr.III Senorita once again in May.
After a clean break from the gate along the backstretch, Miz Snakie Queen ( Maxmillion Farm ) would find herself a length ahead of the field in just a few seconds. Maggie Greene ( The Sidley Stud ) would be urged to the front entering the far turn, with Lake Windigo ( Night Rider Stables ) and Millinneal ( Mb Stables ) hustled up to her inside. Miz Snakie Queen was tight to the rail.
As the group came to the top of the lane, the Maxmillion Farm entry was urged back to the front by a length. Maggie Greene would sit off her flank, with Lake Wendigo two back in third. Millinneal would pace back in fourth with a group of three consisting of Not Bored Now ( Gdp Inc. ) in the middle of Sandset ( Team 7 Illusions ) and outsider Fast Girl Gaviota ( Establo Pichon ). Midnight Sneaking ( Invicta Group Llc ) and Sovereign Nation ( Paradise Stable ) would be the early trailers.
After an opening half mile in 48.68, Miz Snakie Queen would enter the clubhouse turn, now two lengths ahead of her closest rival. Rider Jimenez was putting his early riding style to the test today. The rest of the field had maintained their positions.
After a three quarter time of 1:12.60, a duel would start to bloom midway down the backstretch as Maggie Greene pulled along side the leader. Behind them Lake Wendigo and Millinneal were still battling head to head for third, while Sandset was starting to make a rally up to fifth.
At the top of the stretch and the race for the wire heating up, Maggie Greene was now some three lengths better then a now tiring Miz Snakie Queen. Closers Sandset and early trailer Sovereign Nation were putting in their late run, going three and four wide off the turn. The mile time was posted in 1:36.32.
Crossing the wire in a final time of 2:12.45, Maggie Greene would capture her seventh career victory, all but her maiden win coming on the grass. Sandset would just nose out Sovereign Nation in a photo for the place purse money. The minor share was scooped up by insider Midnight Sneaking.
Rounding out the runners at the wire fifth on back were Lake Wendigo, early leader Miz Snakie Queen and Millinneal tied for sixth, with Fast Girl Gaviota just one one hundreds of a second back of that pair. Completing the event was Not Bored Now.
The final time of 2:12.45 is the new event record for the Orchid at a now shorter mile and three eights, after years of being a twelve furlong affair.
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
