Third choice in the betting, Queenwood broke from the gate with the leaders in Saturday’s $125.000 Martha Washington Stakes at OP, and by the time they had traveled the opening quarter in 23:55, she had captured the lead from Magneley On Wheels and Crooked Road, a position she would hold until the wire. Favorite Tuff Mudder stalked the leaders in fourth, while Scaredy Cat sat fifth to her outside. Rain Short, Tunn Up and Forgotten Past rounded out the field as they entered the backstretch.
Into the backstretch, Tuff Mudder made a big move on the outside to take second from Crooked Road and Magneley On Wheels, while behind them 50-1 longshot Forgotten Past followed the favorite from last to fifth.
Through the backstretch, Queenwood opened her lead to two lengths, while Tuff Mudder and Crooked Road battled for second. Magneley On Wheels hung tough in fourth. Behind them, the battle continued between Scaredy Cat and Forgotten Past for fifth.
By the time the field reached the turn for home, Queenwood led by 2 ½ over Crooked Road and Tuff Mudder, and she continued to romp on the lead into the stretch. Behind her, Tuff Mudder was losing ground while Forgotten Past and Tunn Up started to roll. Four lengths covered the entire field. Crooked Road came off the rail slightly, opening the way for Rain Short, but it was Forgotten Past and Tunn Up flying up on the far outside.
In the shadow of the wire, longshot Forgotten Past claimed second and set her sights on the leader with Tunn Up pressing her from the outside.
At the wire it was Queenwood holding on to the lead by part of a length over Forgotten Past and Tunn Up, two of the longest shots on the board.
It was the biggest win of Queenwood’s career and earned her 10 KYO points. At the end of the day, her record stood at 7-4-0-1 $183.440. Queenwood looks like an improving filly, but it remains to b seen if she can hold on to her #13 ranking or advance up the list. She is definitely one to watch.
Forgotten Past came away with her first win in three starts and 4 KYO points. Tunn Up earned 2 KYO points.
Order of Finish:
Queenwood (Smokey Stover) – Took the lead early and never relinquished it.
Forgotten Past (Mb Stables) – Came from the back of the pack to get up for second in the final furlong
Tunn Up (John Henry) – Late move from last to finish third
Crooked Road (Paradise Stable) – Rode the rail and stalked the pace throughout but couldn’t get closer than fourth
Scaredy Cat (Mb Stables) – Never better than fifth where she finished the race
Rain Short – Never a factor
Magneley On Wheels – Challenged the lead dearly but faded to finish sixth in a tie with Rain Short
Tuff Mudder (Yankee Dooddle Stable) – Made a big move on the backstretch, then faded to finish last
CONGRATULATIONS SMOKEY STOVER!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded
