The Merriebelle Stable of Charles Noell's Didia extended her win streak to seven straight races in Friday's Grade 3, $300,000 Modesty Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs, cruising home 1 1/2 lengths in front as the 5-2 second choice. Ridden by Frenchman Vincent Cheminaud for trainer Ignacio Correas, IV, the 4-year-old Southern Hemisphere-born daughter of Orpen ran 1 1/8 miles over the firm turf course in a stakes-record 1:47.46.
Despite her win streak, the Modesty was Didia's first stateside graded stakes victory. She won three straight Group 1 races in her home country of Argentina, then after an eight-month break, an allowance and black-type stakes at Colonial Downs at the end of last summer. Didia won her 2023 debut in the listed Tom Benson Memorial Stakes at the Fair Grounds, and now has added the G3 Modesty to her resume. Overall, the filly's record stands at eight wins from 11 starts for earnings of $472,109.
“This year, she has progressed in every race,” said Cheminaud. “We had a good trip today and when I asked her for run today, she responded. It's a nice filly and I hope she will progress and win a Grade 1 this year.”
A well-orchestrated ride from Cheminaud saw Didia in third along the inside early on, then angled out around the far turn before taking over without fuss in the stretch.
“They get along perfect, and I think that he's a first-class rider; you can not ask for a better match,” Correas said of Cheminaud. “It make you wake up really happy every morning. I was blessed to have probably some of the last two best fillies that come from Argentina, (Breeders' Cup winner) Blue Prize and Dona Bruja.”
Sweet Dani Girl led the Modesty field through fractions of :23.25, :47.84, and 1:11.58 while under moderate pressure from Lady Rockstar. After being passed by Didia, Sweet Dani Girl dug deep to hold off the late run from New Year's Eve. At the wire, Sweet Dani Girl outfinished New Year's Eve to finish second, while 2-1 favorite Shantisara finished fourth.
“I won't say I was worried, but they were bunched tightly at the start,” Correas added. “I felt more confident once I saw her settle into third. From there, it was just a matter of whether or not she would have her kick. I don't know how she does it, but she always makes it look easy.”
Didia returned $7.18, $4.42 and $3.48. Sweet Dani Girl, ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $9.32 and $6.20 and finished a half-length in front of New Year's Eve, who paid $4.54 to show under Luis Saez. It was 1 ¼ lengths back to Shantisara (IRE), with McKulick (GB), Sparkle Blue and Lady Rockstar (GB) following in order.
.Bred in Argentina by La Manija, Didia is out of the Rainbow Corner mare Delambre.
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