Seemingly hopelessly beaten turning for home in Sunday's GIII Matron Stakes, Abientot turned on all boosters late to collect her first career black-type victory in New York.
Breaking well from the 10-hole, the Tracy Farmer runner was eased to the back by Dylan Davis as first Flirting With Time (Yorkton) and then Laurice (Bolt d'Oro) led through opening fractions of :21.58 and :44.48. Finally unfurling her legs turning for home, Abientot was moving twice as fast as everyone else down the lane, caught the front running rank in the final strides and won by a long neck over the closing duo of Civetta and Yougottahavehope.
“She ran great. [It was an] impressive race. She just keeps putting up one better performance after another,” said Davis. “I wanted to be involved and have a good break. I thought maybe mid-pack would be the best place to be. I broke her and [we] came out with some intention, but they were just running her off her feet so Plan B–sit back. I tried to save as much ground as possible.
Explaining the wide trip, he added, “I opted for the outside spot, gave her a clear run and she put on a performance. She really mowed them down. She's getting better and better every start. It was an impressive run and a thrill for me.”
Abientot kicked off her career with a fourth in a six-furlong turf test during the Belmont at the Big A meet last June before coming home a 1/2-length winner at the Spa July 18. Taking a shot at the off-turf Bolton Landing Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 18, the Keeneland graduate faded never got into the mix of things and had to settle for seventh. Returning to the turf for her latest start, the dark bay was a respectable third in the 6 1/2-furlong Untapable Stabkes at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8.
“She's just tiny and we've been able to bring her along since April. She's a barn favorite,” added Mark Casse's assistant Shane Tripp. “The way she came home today was unbelievable and Dylan [Davis] has got to be one of the better riders on the planet right now. We're blessed to have him in our life. She has a lot of heart. She's real gritty and honest. She trains real forwardly and she's good to be around.”
Pedigree Notes:
Abientot's Matron victory gives her sire, Not This Time, his 38th black-type winner and 17th graded scorer at stud. The unraced More Than Ready mare Ready Ready Ready is responsible for six foals, among them four to race, including Canadian Champion 2-year-old Mr. Hustle (Declaration of War) and GSP Malibu Coast (Malibu Moon). The 12-year-old mare most recently produced a Nyquist colt last term and was bred back to Uncle Mo this season.
Sunday, Belmont at The Big A
MATRON S.-GIII, $175,000, Belmont The Big A, 10-6, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:08.31, fm.
1–ABIENTOT, 120, f, 2, by Not This Time
1st Dam: Ready Ready Ready, by More Than Ready
2nd Dam: Chattertown, by Speightstown
3rd Dam: Chatter Chatter, by Lost Soldier
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($210,000
Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Tracy Farmer; B-Killora Stud, LLC (KY);
T-Mark E. Casse; J-Dylan Davis. $96,250. Lifetime Record:
5-2-0-1, $255,400. *1/2 to Mr. Hustle (Declaration of War),
Ch. 2-year-old Colt-Can, MSW-Can, SP-USA, $347,449;
1/2 to Malibu Coast (Malibu Moon), GSP, $140,300.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B.
2–Civetta, 120, f, 2, Into Mischief–Sentiero Italia, by Medaglia
d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
O-Godolphin, LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh.
$35,000.
3–Yougottahavehope, 120, f, 2, Twirling Candy–Beechwood
Ella (Ire), by No Nay Never. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED
BLACK TYPE. O-Barry K. Schwartz; B-Stonewall Farm (NY);
T-Horacio De Paz. $21,000.
Margins: NK, HF, 3/4. Odds: 5.10, 6.10, 8.40.
Also Ran: Will Not Be Swayed, Laurice, Pop Idol, Baytown Butterfly, Miriam's Fire (GB), Flirting With Time, I'mwishingonastar, Serene Spirit, Second Chance.
Click for the Equibase.com chart the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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