Clicquot gets up late, favorites falter in Cotillion

Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing promised to be a key showdown in the three-year-old filly division, but Grade 1 winners Good Cheer, La Cara, and Scottish Lassie all failed to make an impact. Instead, Clicquot overshadowed her high-profile rivals, gamely prevailing by a neck to record her fourth consecutive win.

Brendan Walsh trains the up-and-coming daughter of Quality Road for X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables, and SF Racing, and Irad Ortiz Jr. retook the mount aboard Clicquot, who finished up 1 1/16 miles in as the 5.30-1 third choice.

“We knew she was improving,” Walsh said. “It’s easy to say it now, but for her to come and beat these fillies, a relatively lightly raced filly, I thought it was quite an accomplishment from her.”

Cliquot settled in fifth between opponents during the opening half-length, rating within a few lengths of pacesetter La Cara, who established early splits in :23.73 and :47.38 before giving way on the far turn. Dry Powder advanced to take a short lead into the stretch but could not withstand the late bid from Clicquot, who determinedly got up to prove best.

“Dream trip. I got a really nice trip, right where we wanted, close to the leaders and saving some ground," Ortiz said. “She did the rest. She’s a nice filly. She responded really well, then she hesitated a little bit when she made the lead. She got the job done. I think she has a little more in the tank.”

A maiden scorer the second time out at Keeneland in mid-April, Clicquot followed with a nice tally over a deep entry-level allowance field at Churchill Downs. The gray filly stepped up to stakes competition with a four-length victory as the favorite in the Indiana Oaks (G3) in early July, and Clicquot continued to move forward while returning from a 77-day layoff in the Cotillion.

Dry Powder held second at 7-1, a head better than 42-1 outsider Ourdaydreaminggirl, who came charging from last to be in the photo finish. It was two more lengths back to 8-5 favorite Scottish Lassie, who made little impact from off the pace, and she was followed by La Cara and 17-10 second choice Good Cheer. Indy Bay walked off after being eased.

Cliquot has now earned more than $840,000 from her 4-for-5 record. Bred by Don Alberto Corporation, the rising Kentucky-bred is the first stakes winner from the Grade 2-placed Tapit mare Royal Obsession, and this is the immediate female family of Grade 1 turf winner Magnificent Song.