Front-running La Tia just holds on in Athenia

"They pressured me last time," Rosario said. "The stretch in Woodbine is

longer than here, and that day they finished up very strong. She ran a good race

and got beat by some very good horses. I was very confident with her today and

knew she was going to give me 100 percent."

Cushion checked in fourth, followed by her stablemates from the Christophe

Clement barn, even-money favorite Annecdote and Maximova. Embarr, Baffle Me,

It's My Time and Julie's Love rounded out the order of finish. Nashly's Vow and

the main-track-only Teen Pauline were withdrawn.

La Tia was recording her fourth career score at the Grade 3 level, but her

biggest victory on turf, and she rewarded her backers with $8.70 to win. Her

prior Grade 3 laurels had come on Polytrack in the 2012 Arlington Oaks as well

as the May 24 Arlington Matron and the July 26 Ontario Matron. She also boasts

Polytrack stakes wins in Woodbine's La Lorgnette and Arlington's Purple Violet

for Illinois-breds, both in 2012.

Although her only prior turf stakes success came in last year's state-bred

Lincoln Heritage at Arlington, La Tia has performed well on the surface. Her

four stakes placings include the 2013 Modesty and the Canadian last time out,

and she was beaten all of 1 1/2 lengths when fourth in the Beverly D. two back.

She has compiled a mark of 22-9-1-5, $803,326.

"She may run one more time this year, but I don't know where," De La Cerda

offered.

La Tia was produced by the Sky Classic mare La Adelita, who is herself a

half-sister to Group 1-placed Private View and to stakes winner Jungle Pioneer.

This is the family of multiple Group 3 hero and Grade/Group 1-placed Tazeez,

multiple Group 1-placed stakes scorer Kierkegaard, and further back, Group 1

star Dactylographer and influential sire Never Bend.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com