Zifi delivered a powerhouse performance in The Maid of the Mist for Mb Stables, taking control early under Gutierrez Mario and never letting anyone by. Sent off as the favorite, the 2-year-old filly broke on top, established command of the one-mile State bred stake, and drew clear through the stretch to finish the job in 1:35.36 on a fast Aqueduct track. This was her second win at a mile or longer this season and her second stakes-level type success, and it came against a full field of nine State bred juvenile fillies. With this win, Zifi has now won 2 of 6 career starts and has earned $182.600 overall, all for Mb Stables after being acquired via auction in September.

Race Recap

The Maid of the Mist, a one-mile dirt stake for New York-foaled 2-year-old fillies with a $200.000 purse, went through honest fractions of :23, :46.3, 1:10.3 and 1:35.1. Zifi was quickest into stride from the break and was in front through the opening quarter. Take The Hiway, representing Bears Stable, was her main pursuer in the early stages and tracked in second through the first two calls. Hi Sara from Paradise Stable also showed prominent early speed and was forward through the opening half mile and into the far turn.

Past the half, Zifi held the lead and continued to travel strongly on the front end approaching the stretch. Take The Hiway was asked to stay with her approaching the three-quarters but began to fade late. Behind them, Spicy Lilah for Night Rider Stables had settled just off the top group early, then advanced steadily past the three-furlong pole and moved into a clear chasing position turning for home. Real Tactics for Mb Stables and Sherbini for D J C Racing Stables were farther back early, then began to build momentum in upper stretch as the pace came back to them.

Into the lane, Zifi maintained the lead and opened up. Spicy Lilah continued her sustained run and was the only filly really cutting into the advantage late. Real Tactics also finished with interest after being several lengths off the pace, and Sherbini matched that late rally as she improved position through the final furlong. Hi Sara stayed on evenly after contesting the early fractions and held her spot in midpack at the finish. Vervain for Riggins Racing, who had been farther back early, moved forward late in the straight and crossed just behind that first flight. Ukraine Be Free of La Canada Racehorses, who had been tracking in midpack earlier in the race, was next across the wire, followed by Take The Hiway after chasing the leader early, and Sizzling Shark from Emerald Racing Inc, who never reached striking range in the final stages.

Zifi hit the wire first by daylight in 1:35.36. Spicy Lilah was second after that steady stretch rally, and Real Tactics took third in a tight finish over Sherbini, with Hi Sara right there in the next stride.

Individual Trip Notes

Zifi (Mb Stables / Gutierrez Mario) — Broke on top, controlled the pace through every call, and extended her advantage through the stretch to win in 1:35.36. She never surrendered the lead at any point.

Spicy Lilah (Night Rider Stables / Rosario J) — Sat just off the first wave early, moved into a clear chasing position past the half mile, and made steady late headway to finish second.

Real Tactics (Mb Stables / Ortiz J L) — Was several lengths back early, then began to advance in upper stretch and was finishing strongly to get third.

Sherbini (D J C Racing Stables / Elliott S) — Sat in the middle part of the field through the early fractions, improved position through the lane, and just missed third in a tight finish.

Hi Sara (Paradise Stable / Cancel E) — Broke in contention, stayed involved through :23 and :46.3, and held her spot through the stretch to wind up fifth.

Vervain (Riggins Racing / Castillo I) — Was farther back early and did her best running late, joining the group that finished just behind the top five.

Ukraine Be Free (La Canada Racehorses / Lezcano J) — Raced in midpack behind the leaders through the early calls and stayed evenly through the run to the wire.

Take The Hiway (Bears Stable / Jimenez A) — Applied early pressure to the leader in second through the opening two calls, but tired in the final furlong.

Sizzling Shark (Emerald Racing Inc / Husbands P) — Was never close enough to land a blow and remained toward the rear throughout.

What’s Next for the Winner

Zifi has now won 2 of 6 starts and has earned $182.600 overall. She’s already stretched out effectively to one mile and handled stakes company versus fellow New York-breds. A logical next target would be another State bred stakes around a mile or perhaps a two-turn route spot for New York-bred fillies later in the season, where she could test herself again at or beyond a mile. Zifi is by Zionist out of My Fiona, bred by La Canada Racehorses and campaigned by Mb Stables. She now has a marquee State bred stakes victory on her résumé and stamped herself as a serious player in this division going forward.

Track: Fast
Time: :23  :46³  1:10³  1:35¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 6 – 8 Paid 52.90
$1 Trifecta: 6 – 8 – 2 Paid 541.80
Scratched: None

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded