Dear Readers,
I’m going to have to get a move on if I
want to review the entire list of Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series races
which have already taken place, if I want to finish before the big day of racing in November. This
endeavor has been fun, and its own challenge, as I try to keep moving forward
on my new fiction piece.
First up today will be the Darley Yorkshire
Oaks, a Grade I turf event going a whopping one-mile-and-one-half at the
historic York Racecourse. York is located in North Yorkshire in the United
Kingdom and has a history of racing that is so long it has faded over time. Rumor
and supposition place equine activities as far back as Neolithic times. I urge
you to look up the history on the area, it’s fascinating.
The Fugue. Wow! What else needs to be said? This daughter of
Dansili, and out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Twyla Tharp, as a three-year-old went
off the favorite in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares turf
contest. Boxed in for virtually the whole race, she was running up on heels
down the lane trying to find running room. I can’t say for sure she would have
won the race if she’d been able to break through, but she would have been right
there.
As to the
running of the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, William Buick must have ice water in his
veins. There he sat on tons of horse, feet in the dashboard, elbows stuck out,
waiting…and waiting…! At the point I’m beginning to question his wisdom, and just
when I think he’s going to run out of room, he lets The Fugue shift gears, and
my-oh-my what a delightful finish for the owners of this mare, Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber. A masterful ride
by William, he really knows this mare, and he sat quiet and timed the win to
perfection.
So what
about the Breeders’ Cup? Her connections are talking about a double entry, nominating her
both in the Fillies and Mares Turf and the longer Turf race in open company.
The one-mile-and-a-half Turf distance would be much to The Fugue’s liking and,
may for the distance alone, be her connections first preference when choosing between the two. Either way, I’m a big fan.
What a beauty, nearly black and with huge eyes, I'm smitten with this mare.
Next the Connolly’s Red Mills Lowther Stakes, Grade II, a
six furlong turf race for two-year-old fillies, and run on the same card as the
Darley Yorkshire Oaks. This is the first of the “Win and You’re In” Challenge
races for two-year-olds. Since this particular race was contested on a straight
away course, switching leads can be problematic. A horse will get tired running
in the same lead throughout a contest, and must be trained to respond to the
rider when it’s time to switch leads.
Lucky
Kristale switched leads several times, and in my opinion seemed to be running a
little green. Despite winning by daylight, I felt she flattened a bit towards
the end. With her race record and her youth, this filly has a great future
ahead of her. Her connections have said they won’t be bringing her to the
United States for the Breeders’ Cup, and I think that is probably wise.
What a pretty head Lucky Kristale has.
Take
care and thanks for reading,
Shelley
Riley
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