GI – Personal Ensign

$700.000 Graded Stake 1 1/8th Miles on Dirt for Fillies & Mares Three & Up

Leading into the race the talk was about if Queenwood could keep up her phenomenal season or if the likes of Way Up would be able to take her down. When it came to post time the betting public liked Way Up to take home the title and made her the 9/5 favorite with Queenwood the second choice. But in the end the betting public had it all wrong as the three year old filly Viking Vania would take home the title at 8/1 with 28/1 long shot Dirty Deeds finishing second.

Heading straight into the first turn Queenwood looked to get an early jump on them and slide down to the rail but Dirty Deeds, Way Up and Better Be Grayteful all went to the lead with her forcing her seven or eight wide around most of the first time. By the time they hit the SAR backstretch she was still stuck three wide and it likely cost her the race as she struggled her way down the stretch to a sixth place finish.

As they turned for home Dirty Deeds held on to the rail with Way Up just to the outside of her but the backfield began to close on her and Viking Vania was moving quicker then the rest and was able to duck between horses and find a hole with the guidance of jockey Albarado R J. Heart Nebulae also made a move late swinging out widest of all and running down a few to finish third while Dirty Deeds with that rail spot was able to hold on for second. Way Up would fall to fourth with Mortality, Queenwood, The Hanging Tree and Better Be Grayteful finishing last.

Viking Vania was able to finish the mile and an eighth in a time of 1:48.45 and has stamped her ticket to the BC Distaff at DMR. Congratulations to Delta Farms.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES