CD Distaff Turf Mile (Grade 2)- $300.000 Purse
CD- For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old and Upward
One Mile on the Turf
May 5, 2018

In the KYO, Winning Link Stables brought Ivanka to the starting gate, and we thought highly of her in the preview, but as the trainer brilliantly put it, “she ran more like Kellyanne Conway”. Ivanka was not the only talented filly Winning Link Stables brought to Trump-friendly Kentucky this weekend, and even though there is less prestige for the CD Distaff Turf Mile, it would be Trump Princess stepping up on the soft turf, and taking care of business. Apologies for those who don’t like the political puns, but you can’t report on these two in two of your three races for the weekend without it. Trump Princess is no stranger to the winners circle, either, and this is her third graded win in her last four starts. For the trainer, its their first win in the stake, and it’s the second time that jockey R Bejarano has ridden the winner. He had the honor of riding Attraction in 2015. The time of the win on soft turf was 1:37.10, almost a full second faster then last year’s race, which was also on soft turf. Let’s take a look at it! Just a housekeeping footnote first, though, and that is to mention that Sizing Europe Lodge opted to scratch Ghost Runner from the race.

(1/4 Mile- :24.19)- Jumping out to a big lead early would be Notarized Kate, from Pristine Stables as well as Well Built, from Smokey Stover and this was a little surprising. Notarized Kate is known for coming from well off the pace. Well Built is no stranger to going out on the lead, but some in the stands may have been concerned that the post time favorite was running too hard too soon. The lead was three, and probably would have been more since third place runner Hide N Seek Pup (Gdp Inc) seemed willing, initially, to run with them before deciding it would not be the best idea. It was two more lengths to a threesome consisting of Pip Kadabra (Chili King Stables), Deserves It (Mb Stables), and Isolated (Mb Stables). The eventual winner from Winning Link Stables, Trump Princess, was the early trailer, with seven lengths to make up.

(½ Mile- :48.51)- Rounding the first turn, and running into the backstretch, Notarized Kate, was not letting up, and now pulled ahead from Well Built by a length and a half. It looked like our favorite was not able to maintain the same pace that was being set. There was still a three and a half length gap behind her to the third place Hide N Seek Pup. Pip Kadabra, Deserves It, and Isolated were all content to maintain their position, though Trump Princess seemed to be positioning herself for a wide move as they approached the top of the final turn.

(Top Of Stretch-2F To Go)- Moving into the top of the stretch, Notarized Kate was still looking pretty comfortable, but once there she was clearly vulnerable and was not able to find another gear. Well Built, however, was surprisingly lethargic at this point. She did not have off track experience heading into the race, and perhaps that did her in. The ones that were closing in Notarized Kate the quickest were Hide N Seek Pup, who had a nice lane along the rail, and Trump Princess, who was doing an excellent job in the fourth lane and now had just two and a half lengths to make up. Pip Kadabra was moving into the picture as well. Other then Well Built, who was clearly backing up, only Isolated was out of it at this point.

(Finish- 1:37.10)- To the outside of Notarized Kate, both Deserves It and Trump Princess were pouring it on, and it looked like they might have a nice stretch battle with one another. Then, once they were even with Notarized Kate, Deserves It lost that drive, and Trump Princess put her away quite easily. At the point, the biggest threat seemed to be Hide N Seek Pup, though Pip Kadabra was splitting horses pretty nicely. If she could channel just some of what Misty Firefox did in the KYO, she’d have a shot, otherwise this seemed to start a little too late and was more of a move to get second. In the final half furlong, however, Trump Princess was much the best, and would win while pulling away, making sure that no one would get anywhere near her. Pip Kadabra did get second, holding of Deserves It. Hide N Seek Pup was flat late, but settles for fourth, just ahead of Notarized Kate. Way back, its Isolated and Well Built. The latter making me 2-for-2 this weekend in having my pick to win, finish dead last.

About The Winner- Trump Princess is a four year old filly by Quick Echo, and is out of Stage Fright. She was bred, not surprisingly, by Lanfranco Stable, in the great breeding state of Pennsylvania as a fourth quarter two year old, and acquired by Winning Link Stables, via Australia Wide, in private sales in September 2017 for $50.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in nine starts, and her third graded win. Her career earnings are now $451.960.

Track: Soft
Time: :24   :48²  1:12⁴  1:37

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 8 – 5 Paid 413.30
$1 Trifecta: 8 – 5 – 6 Paid 1,325.90

Scratched: Ghost Runner

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES