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Hostess rallies late in Orchid William L. Clifton, Jr.'s HOSTESS (Chester House) closed with a rush along the hedge and outfinished 9-5 favorite Mauralakana (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) in the final stages to eclipse the $150,000 Orchid H. (G3) over the Gulfstream turf by 1 1/4 lengths on Sunday. The H. James Bond trainee raced unhurried while saving ground along the rail in the early going and was last after the opening mile, but she advanced steadily under John Velazquez approaching the final turn and would not be denied in here, clocking the 1 1/2 miles on the firm green in 2:25 4/5. The 5-1 third choice paid $12.80, $5.40 and $3.20 while keying the $41.80 exacta, $109.40 trifecta and $1,319.80 superfecta (4-1-7-2). Mauralakana raced in midpack early, made a sweeping move to take command turning for home but had no resistance for the winner late, securing the place spot by three lengths at the finish. She was good for $3.20 and $2.40. Herboriste (GB) (Hernando [Fr]), the 5-2 second choice, loomed a threat in early stretch but flattened out in the latter stages. The mare was a head clear in third and gave back $2.60. Leap in the Sun (Anees) capped the super as the 98-1 longest shot and was trailed by pacesetter Eclisse (Fr) (Ski Chief), Cliffrose (Ger) (Monsun), Duchess Royale (Ire) (Danehill) and I'm in Love (Zafonic). Hostess earned her much-deserved graded win on this day after placing in a quartet of stakes events, including the New York S. (G2) and Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) last campaign. The five-year-old mare boosted her earnings to $273,708 from a 17-3-3-5 lifetime line. The winner was bred in Kentucky by Peter Van Andel and attracted a bid of $70,000 at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling sale. Produced from Charge d'Affaires (Vice Regent), the dark bay is a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Pretty 'n Smart (Beau Genius), who is herself the dam of Grade 3 winner Ashley's Kitty (Tale of the Cat) and an unnamed yearling colt by Successful Appeal. This is the same family as 1987 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Success Express (Hold Your Peace), Canadian champion turf horse Charlie Barley (Affirmed) and Grade 1 victor Greenwood Lake (Meadowlake).
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