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Lahudood lands wild running of Filly & Mare Turf
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Lahudood's look of grim determination says it all, as does the bespattered Honey Ryder (left), whose gray coat is covered with grime
(Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com) |
Shadwell Stable's homebred LAHUDOOD (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) struck the front
turning for home and held off a furious late rally by Honey Ryder (Lasting
Approval) to take Saturday's eventful $1,951,080
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Despite her widely publicized aversion to rain-saturated ground, the Kiaran
McLaughlin trainee slogged 1 3/8 miles on Monmouth's soft turf in 2:22 3/5 with Alan
Garcia in the saddle. In the process, she validated the expensive decision to
supplement her to the field, and advanced her cause for a divisional
championship.As expected, Precious Kitten (Catienus) went to the early lead through a
deliberate opening quarter in :25 4/5. Then the circus began, courtesy of the
antics of English invader Simply Perfect (GB) (Danehill). After first appearing
to settle at the back of the pack, Simply Perfect circled the field on the first
of three turns to establish a clear lead while clocking :52 for the half-mile.
She completely blew the second, or clubhouse, turn, and as she bolted to the far
outside, Simply Perfect carried out the unfortunate Precious Kitten and Arravale
(Arch). Simply Perfect wound up on the far outside rail on the backstretch, and
jockey Johnny Murtagh pulled her up. Precious Kitten and Arravale tried to
regroup and rejoined the field, but their chances had been ruined.
Meanwhile, Argentina (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who stayed clear of trouble
along the inside rail, found herself in front. The pace was downright dawdling, with
fractions of 1:18 4/5 and 1:44 3/5 indicating the state of the ground. Nashoba's
Key (Silver Hawk) was tucked in just behind Argentina, and Lahudood and
Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili [GB]) were also forwardly placed.
Sensing the time was ripe on the third and final turn, Garcia drove Lahudood
forward, and that move proved to be decisive. Although the lukewarm 5-2 favorite
Passage of Time threw down a brave challenge in the stretch, she could not peg
back the winner.
Honey Ryder found her best stride inside the final sixteenth and began to gain
ground, but it was too late, as Lahudood remained in control by three-quarters
of a length at the line.
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"I had a great trip," Garcia said. "We were in good position the first time
past the stands, and then when (Simply Perfect) went wide on the turn, that just
opened everything up, and I was in great position. She was handling the course
very well. I had a lot of horse in the lane, and she got there. I didn't think I
had it won until I hit the wire."
Unheralded at 11-1, Lahudood returned $25.40, $11.40 and $6.40 and started the $167.60 exacta.
Honey Ryder gave back $6.60 and $4.60 at 6-1, and Passage of Time yielded $3.40
for checking in just a neck adrift of the runner-up. The $1 trifecta was worth
$384.90, and the $1 superfecta (6-2-4-3) totaled $1,185.60 with the hitherto
unbeaten Nashoba's Key plugging on resolutely another length back for fourth.
All My Loving (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Timarwa (Ire) (Daylami [Ire]), Arravale,
Precious Kitten, Argentina and Danzon (Royal Academy) rounded out the order of
finish. Wait a While (Maria's Mon) was withdrawn.
Successful in the Flower Bowl Invitational S. (G1) last time out, Lahudood
scored her first stakes victory in the 2006 Prix de Liancourt. She also placed
second in last year's Prix de Malleret (Fr-G2), Prix de Royallieu (Fr-G2) and
Prix de Psyche (Fr-G3). Sent to the United States for her 2007 campaign,
Lahudood captured an allowance at Belmont in her second start of the season
before checking in 9 1/2 lengths behind Royal Highness (Ger) (Monsun) in the
Beverly D. S. (G1) on rain-softened ground at Arlington. Her record now reads
12-4-5-1, $1,695,373.
Bred in Great Britain, Lahudood is out of the winning Arazi mare Rahayeb
(GB), who is also the dam of an unraced juvenile filly named Kareemah (Peintre
Celebre) and an unnamed yearling colt by Sinndar. Lahudood springs from the
family of once-beaten dual classic winner Nashwan (Blushing Groom [Fr]),
multiple Group 1-winning highweight Nayef (Gulch), multiple English Group 2 hero
Unfuwain (Northern Dancer) and Japanese superstar Deep Impact (Sunday Silence).
Plans call for Lahudood to be bred next year, according to Rick Nichols,
Shadwell's manager.
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