Far and away the best that the distaff division has had to offer in 2021, Letruska demonstrated why she is already the heavy favorite for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, taking the lead right out of the gate in the Grade 1 Spinster Stakes and easily holding off a field of five others at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.
Under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 5-year-old mare followed the same strategy she used in her last-out victory in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., easily moving to the front as the field ran into the first turn. Setting fractions of :24 for the first quarter and :47.89 for the first half, Ortiz gave his mare a breather on the backside and then picked up the pace again around the far turn.
Into the stretch, Letruska kicked away from the field, putting 3 1/2 lengths between her and second-place Dunbar Road before Ortiz powered her down. At the wire, the daughter of Super Saver was 1 3/4 lengths in front, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.01.
Letruska paid $2.80, $2.10, and $2.10. Dunbar Road $3.40 and $2.20. Bonny South paid $2.40.
As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, Letruska's win in the Spinsters earns her another fees-paid, guaranteed spot in the starting gate for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. The mare also has victories in other Win and You're In events, including the G1 Ogden Phipps, the G1 Fleur de Lis, and the Personal Ensign.
Bred in Kentucky by owner St. George Stables, Letruska is out of the Successful Appeal mare Magic Appeal. She is trained by Fausto Gutierrez. With her win in the G1 Spinster, the 5-year-old mare has six wins in seven starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of 22-17-1-1 and career earnings of $2,236,459.
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