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Mauralakana scores in Locust Grove Fab Oak Stable et al's MAURALAKANA (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) passed Quite a Bride (Stormy Atlantic) in midstretch and powered home a 1 1/4-length winner of Sunday's $162,900 Locust Grove H. (G3) on closing day at Churchill Downs. Trained by Patrick Biancone and ridden by Julien Leparoux, the four-year-old was a bit rank early but settled in third until the stretch, tracking splits of :24, :47 4/5 and 1:11 4/5 for the opening six panels. Turning for home, the bay filly began to accelerate and wore down the leader in the latter stages, stopping the teletimer in 1:47 4/5 for the nine-furlong firm turf affair. The 9-5 second choice was good for $5.60, $3.40 and $2.40 while topping the $26.20 exacta, $53.60 trifecta and $132 superfecta (2-6-5-4). "We had the 'rabbit,' so that made it easier," Leparoux said, referring to Countess Scala (Fusaichi Pegasus), who faded to last after doing her duty. "Behind, (Mauralakana) was relaxed, and I guess we got the perfect trip, no?" "We figured she would appreciate a little more distance than a mile," Biancone said. "Last time we ran her too short, and she came in fourth (in the one-mile Just a Game S. [G2] on June 9 at Belmont Park). She's only been here for six months, and she really improved. The more she's stayed here, the more she's improved." Quiet Royal (Royal Academy) raced in last for the opening half-mile, traveled smartly on the hedge to the final turn, and closed with good energy to garner place honors by a nose. The 5-1 runner-up paid $5.40 and $2.80. Quite a Bride tired late and finished third, 6 1/4 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. Show was worth $2.10. Lemons Forever (Lemon Drop Kid) rounded out the superfecta at 7-1 and was followed by Eyes on Eddy (Touch Gold) and early leader Countess Scala. Mauralakana is a Group 3 heroine in her native France, with placings in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere/Gran Criterium (Fr-G1) and Prix de Psyche (Fr-G3), but earned her first stateside stakes win here. The bay also captured the Prix Imprudence, and owns placings in the Queen Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup S. (G1) and Noble Damsel Breeders' Cup H. (G3). For her career, the miss sports a 16-6-1-3 mark with $470,616 in earnings. The winner was bred by Sarl Classic Breeding and part-owner M. Hassan, and was preceded in stakes glory by her half-sister, the multiple stakes-winning Petit Calva (Desert King). She is out of the winning Jimkana (Double Bed [Fr]), herself a full sister to multiple French highweight Jim and Tonic (Fr), who is a winner of nine stakes including the 1999 Hong Kong International Cup (HK-G1), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G2), 1998 Hong Kong International Bowl (HK-G2) and 2001 Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G2). Third in the 1999 Atto Mile S. (Can-G1), Jim and Tonic also placed in 11 group events.
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