Stonestreet Stables homebred Clairiere posted a 9-2 upset in Saturday's Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park, battling last year's 3-year-old Champion Malathaat all the way down the stretch to win by a head. The 3-5 favorite, champion mare Letruska was pressured early and faded to finish last in the five-horse field.
Both Malathaat and Clairiere were bred by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet; Shadwell Stable purchased Malathaat for $1.05 million at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, while Banke retained Clairiere to race.
“What a great win, two great Stonestreet mares to the wire,” said Clairiere's Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.”She's racing royalty and proved it today.”
Clairiere's dam, Cavorting (Bernardini), won the Ogden Phipps for Stonestreet in 2016. Now a five-time winner from 13 career starts, Clairiere has earned a total of $1.8 million on the racetrack.
The 4-year-old daughter of Curlin completed 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:41.10, ridden to perfection by jockey Joel Rosario. The Ogden Phipps was a “Win and You're In” for the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), so Clairiere earned a fees-paid berth and travel expenses to the World Championships this November at Keeneland.
Search Results was extremely sharp out of the gates, beating Letruska to the front as that pair left the chute for the one-turn race. Letruska tossed her head and insisted she be in front of that rival, forcing her way to the lead and blowing through a first quarter mile in 22.75 seconds. Search Results stayed right on her heels in second, while it was a 10-length gap back to Malathaat, Bonny South, and Clairiere.
After a half in 45.23 seconds, Search Results began to move up alongside the leading Letruska. Letruska threw in the towel immediately, allowing Search Results to turn for home with a three-length advantage.
However, both Malathaat and Clairiere were opening their strides for the run down the stretch. Malathaat had her head in front as the pair took over from Search Results, but Rosario and Clairiere fought all the way to the wire and were able to finish a head in front. Malathaat had to settle for second, while Search Results was several lengths back in third. Bonny South finished fourth, while Letruska was eased to finish fifth and last.
The post Clairiere All Heart To Defeat Malathaat In Ogden Phipps; Champ Letruska Fades To Finish Last appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
