The Matriarch – Grade I
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $300.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up.

1st Lady Hilltopper Black N Gold Stable Velazquez J R

If there was any doubt before this race that this admirable mare was the best Turf Female in the game at the moment, then this race certainly put it beyond any doubt. Racing over a trip that looked a little sharp for her she managed to find the sort of pace that sprinters would be proud of in stalking a very fast pace and then dominating from a long way out. It is hard to imagine that this mare hadn’t won a grade one before this year but now like her trainer she has three grade ones and is a BC champion.

2nd Poetic Panther Maletto Rodriguez Jam

You have to take your hat off to this five-year-old as she finished second in her third grade one in a row, If the year hadn’t contained Lady Hilltopper, we could well be calling her the champion turf female but unfortunately for her it does and she will have to take a well-deserved silver medal. Racing right alongside the winner early on she was caught a bit flat footed by the fast pace but kept on with her usual determination to fill the runner up spot again.

3rd Beach Towel Winning Link Stables Curtis B

Much better suited by the mile she kept on strongly for third in a much better effort than we saw in the BC. There was no shame in third place in this loaded field and as a four-year-old she may have a bit more time than her two rivals to improve enough to be a contender for the title in years to come.

4th Fun Dip Jokerjoes Esquivel E

A fine effort and although she wasn’t beaten far by three of the best females in the game she had to settle for fourth. An admirably consistent sort she too was caught napping with two to run but was staying on again at the end and just maybe she will improve for even further than the mile.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES