The 15th Running of the G1 Cotillion Stakes
September 25, 2021 16:45
PRX Race #15 $1,000.000 11/16 Dirt
3YO Fillies 122 Lbs
Track Record-1:40.41 (Frootie Moon-2012)
Stakes Record-1:41.52 (Mrs Bombastic-2010)
There are “special” seasons and then there are “SPECIAL” seasons. Count the sophomore campaign for Naples in the latter category. Scoring her third consecutive G1 victory, in addition to her G1 KYO victory in May, the chestnut filly took the $1,000.000 G1 Cotillion at PRX on Saturday. Now, the Arindel lass will turn her attention to DMR and a start against elders in the G1 BC Distaff.
Breaking in the third flight, Naples stayed on the rail while sitting in midpack as Slckmoment Laga set the early pace. As Slckmoment Laga reached the first turn alone on the lead, there was a line of four horses racing in front of the eventual winner. By the time they made their way to the backstretch, the race looked differently though. Slckmoment Laga was still alone up top, but behind her, Lady Sammyantha made an early four-wide move to be second after the quarter-mile went in :23.69. Naples came off of the rail as Creepy Crawlies moved even with her on her inside.
By the time they reached the half-mile in :47.24, Slckmoment Laga had Lady Sammyantha on her flank. There were still four horses racing behind the front-running duo and Naples was biding her time back in 7th while racing in about the four path. Lady Sammyantha was the first to retreat as Slckmoment Laga reached three-quarters in 1:10.83 and, for a brief time, it looked as if Naples would be stuck with nowhere to run. She was still racing four-wide with horses immediately inside, outside, and in front of her.
At the top of the lane, her traffic issues were cleared and Naples launched her bid. Running out in the five path, Naples was on almost even terms with Notorious Return and Modesta with only Slckmoment Laga left to catch. The winner finally made the lead around the 1/16 pole and increased her advantage through the wire, finishing the 8.5 furlongs in 1:41.59. Notorious Return ran on to get the place while Slckmoment Laga had to settle for third. Completing the order of finish were Creepy Crawlies, Modesta, Princess Dolly, Freelance, Viral Breakdown, Feral Impact, Lady Sammyantha, and Secret Eyes.
Naples (Shark Force o/o Pivotal Cherokee) improved her record to 14-9-1-0 with earnings of $2,785.000 and further cemented her spot in November’s G1 BC Distaff. Regardless of what happens in that race, the Arindel filly has probably done enough to secure year-end division honors with four G1’s this season. Notorious Return was awarded six BC points for her runner-up effort and now sits in 11th place on the BC big board. Slckmoment Laga received four BC points for the show and she also looks to be secure for the G1 BC Distaff as she sits 7th on the big board.
Congratulations to Arindel and Naples on their victory in the $1,000.000 G1 Cotillion!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
