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Nashoba's Key returned to the turf a winner in the Yellow Ribbon
(Benoit Photo) |
Warren Williamson's homebred NASHOBA'S KEY (Silver Hawk) extended her record
to a perfect seven-for-seven when wearing down 4-5 favorite Citronnade (Lemon
Drop Kid) in Saturday's $400,000
Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) at Oak Tree. Trained by
Carla Gaines and piloted by Joe Talamo, the four-year-old bay kept a close eye
on the pacesetting Citronnade, poised just off the leader's flank through
fractions of :24, :48 1/5, 1:12 1/5 and 1:36. At the top of the stretch,
Citronnade tried to open up on her pursuers, but Nashoba's Key stayed within
striking range and gradually subdued her by three-quarters of a length. The
undefeated filly finished 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's firm turf in a sharp 1:59 3/5 to
return $5.40, $2.80 and $2.40 as the 8-5 second choice.
"I knew Citronnade was running easily, but Nashoba has such a big
kick," Talamo said. "Once she gets going, she's like a big train."
That's a verdict shared by David Flores, who rode Citronnade.
"I was looking for a slow, easy pace and hopefully I could get away
with it," Flores said. "But that winner, she is a good filly. I mean, my
filly tried everything just to get away from her. But like I said, that
was a lot of horse that won the race."
Citronnade just salvaged second by a nose from the rallying Black Mamba (NZ)
(Black Minnaloushe), paying $2.40 and $2.10. The third-placer gave back $2.60 at
nearly 11-1. The $1 exotics were worth $5 (exacta) and $19.70 (2-6-5 trifecta).
Memorette (Memo [Chi]), Imagine (Giant's Causeway) and Mauralakana (Fr) (Muhtathir
[GB]) completed the order under the wire.
Nashoba's Key began her career defeating fellow California-breds on turf,
most notably capturing the Fran's Valentine S., then switched to synthetic
surfaces while taking a class hike into graded company. She didn't miss a beat,
driving to victories in the Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G2), Vanity Invitational H.
(G1) and Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2) last time out.
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