|
Vacare up to the challenge in QEII
 | |
Vacare remains perfect with the QE II win
(Matt Wooley/Horsephotos.com) |
Although Lothenbach Stables' homebred VACARE (Lear Fan) was spotting her
rivals considerable experience in Saturday's $500,000
Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1) at Keeneland, the unbeaten filly's
abundant talent more than compensated for her lack of seasoning as she drove to
a half-length success beneath regular rider Carlos Marquez Jr. The Chris
Block-trained Vacare finished nine furlongs on the firm turf in 1:48 2/5 to
maintain an unblemished four-for-four mark.Passing the stands for the first time, Vacare tossed her head noticeably
while traveling wide, but Marquez eventually got her to settle into a
comfortable rhythm stalking the early pace on the outside. The front-running
Vague (Elusive Quality) established steady splits of :24 1/5, :48 2/5 and 1:13,
pressed much of the way by an overeager Maxxi Arte (Ire) (Danehill Dancer). In the
stretch, Vacare surged past the leading pair through a mile in 1:36 4/5, but her
work was not done as Mauralakana (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) burst from midpack to
deliver her challenge. Showing no greenness at this crucial stage, Vacare
responded energetically and held Mauralakana safely at bay.
"This filly has really taken us places," Block said. "I was really, really
confident going into this race until I picked up the (Daily) Racing
Form yesterday morning. I was thinking, well, do we belong in here? She did
prove that she belonged in here. I convinced myself of that last night because
she's answered the call every time I've asked her to do something. When you call
on her, she's got a tremendous turn of foot.
|
"She's so talented," Block continued. "Carlos does a phenomenal job with her.
Not too many guys get along with this gal. She can be aggressive at times, and
you have to be prepared for that, and he was today."
Quiet Royal (Royal Academy) rallied mildly for third, 1 1/4 lengths astern of
the runner-up. Germance (Silver Hawk), the 2-1 favorite, finished another length
back in fourth after a rough trip. Next came Take the Ribbon (Chester House),
Magnificent Song (Unbridled's Song), Vague, Maxxi Arte, Citronnade (Lemon Drop
Kid), Foxysox (GB) (Foxhound) and Trick's Pic (Favorite Trick).
Leaving the gate as the 6-1 fourth choice, Vacare rewarded her backers with
mutuels of $15.60, $7 and $5.20. Mauralakana returned $6 and $5 at odds of 5-1,
and the 22-1 Quiet Royal paid a healthy $10 to show. The exotics totaled $106.20
(exacta), $1,507 (trifecta) and $5,547.40 (9-11-10-7 superfecta).
The winner's bankroll has nearly tripled to $466,000. All three of Vacare's
previous starts came at Arlington Park. She only began her career in June, then
cleared her first allowance condition in July. Stepping up to graded stakes
company last time out, she landed the Pucker Up S. (G3) by four impressive
lengths.
The Kentucky-bred Vacare is a daughter of the winning Valid Appeal mare
Appealing Storm, who has since produced an unnamed yearling filly by Yankee
Gentleman and a weanling filly by Flatter. Vacare hails from the same family
as champion, $3.2-million earner and outstanding broodmare Serena's Song (Rahy).
Send this article to a friend
| 
