Kathmanblu has left no doubt as to whom America’s leading sophomore filly is in 2011, regardless of the surface. To start out the year she came from well off the pace to win the Sweetest Chant Stakes on the turf and on Saturday she took control of the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr.3) at the head of the Fair Grounds stretch and rolled to a 1 ¼ length victory over a talented field of fillies on the dirt.
The Rachel Alexandra Stakes was easily the deepest 3-year-old filly race of the year. Breaking from the gates Gran Lioness seized the lead as expected and posted an easy opening quarter mile of :24.83 with Bouquet Booth about 1 ½ lengths back and Kathmanblu another length behind. Undefeated Inglorious took up the rear of the 6 horse field in her first start on dirt.
Running the half mile in a slow :49.27 Gran Lioness continued to lead the field as they entered the far turn. From behind Inglorious had moved up just one spot to be second last as the field came into the stretch. Up front it was Gran Lioness, Bouquet Booth and Kathmanblu who entered the homestretch on even terms with Kathmanblu being floated four wide. Within a matter of strides Bouquet Booth was finished and faded to finish fourth while Kathmanblu battled a determined Gran Lioness down the stretch as Inglorious mustered a rally from far back. Halfway down the stretch Kathmanblu finally got the better of Gran Lioness and began to edge away, crossing the line 1 ¼ lengths the best , holding off a fast closing Inglorious. [Read the rest here on Horse Racing Nation]
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