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News all good for Communique in Modesty G. Watts Humphrey Jr.'s homebred COMMUNIQUE (Smart Strike), who had just a maiden win to her credit in 10 starts when the year began, notched her third win in her last four starts, and second graded score, when taking Saturday's $150,000 Modesty H. (G3) at Arlington Park. The four-year-old proved much the best, powering from ninth to win going away by 3 3/4 lengths under Rene Douglas. The near 4-1 second choice covered 1 3/16 miles on the soft turf in 1:58 4/5 and returned $9.80, $4.80 and $4.20 while topping the $108 exacta, $692.60 trifecta and $2,514 superfecta (8-9-10-11). Seventh after a quarter-mile, Communique lost position down the backside as Royal Leah (Royal Academy) led through fractions of :24 1/5, :49 2/5, 1:13 4/5 and 1:39 1/5. The moisture-laden course finally took its toll on that mare as she faded in the final furlong. Communique, meanwhile, trailed all but two rivals after six furlongs, but swung out turning for home and finished full of run. The 9-1 Kiss With a Twist (Lemon Drop Kid) grabbed a brief lead in the stretch but was no match for the winner. She returned $9.20 and $6.60 after holding second by three-quarters of a length over Ciao (Lear Fan), who at 10-1 edged 2-1 favorite Lemon Chiffon (Lemon Drop Kid) by a neck to return $7.20. Lemon Chiffon was followed by Ballymore Lady (War Chant), On Safari (Lion Cavern), Demisemiquaver (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]), Barbette (High Yield), Royal Leah, Quiet Queen (Real Quiet) and Labar (Bianconi). Communique improved her mark to 15-4-3-2, $352,134. As a juvenile, the bay filly was ambitiously spotted in her career debut in the Caressing H. at Churchill Downs, where she was not disgraced in sixth. After duly capturing a maiden event at Gulfstream Park next time out, Communique returned to stakes company and finished a rallying third in the Gaily Gaily S. and runner-up in the Herecomesthebride S. (G3). She was a creditable fourth in the Regret S. (G3) and the American Oaks Invitational (G1), but could manage only a non-threatening fifth in the Lake Placid S. (G2). Communique was then given class relief by dropping into entry-level allowance company for her next four starts. The four-year-old finally cleared that condition on April 4, and then scored a half-length victory in the Bewitch S. (G3) at Keeneland. Most recently, she was fourth in an allowance/optional claimer at Churchill Downs on June 8. The Kentucky-bred is the first registered foal from the winning Pleasant Colony mare Martinique, who is a half-sister to Muhtarram (Alleged), an Irish and Italian highweight, and Grade 3 victress Profit Column (Private Account), herself the dam of Grade 3 heroine and multiple Grade 1-placed Final Round (Storm Cat). This is the family of Italian champion St Hilarion (Sir Ivor) and multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire Savinio (The Minstrel). Communique has two younger full brothers, an unraced juvenile named Final Count and an unnamed yearling, and a 2008 brother by Cherokee Run.
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