With three of six entrants in the field for Saturday's Grade 1 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland, trainer Chad Brown was confident in his aim for a sixth victory in the $750,000 contest. However, it was third-choice In Italian who delivered a mild surprise over her favored stablemate Regal Glory, leading all the way to win by a length. Both fillies are owned by Peter Brant.
In Italian (Dubawi) and jockey Joel Rosario completed a mile over the firm turf in 1:33.22.
“She's (In Italian) developed – we got her out there on the lead, letting her do what she wants to do,” Brown said. “We really like to come to this race. The only thing I was worried about was the layoff. She hadn't run since the Diana (G1 in July at Saratoga). (Owner) Mr. (Peter) Brant and I got together, and I wanted to run her in between, but he wanted a fresh horse for the Breeders' Cup, and that decision proved right. She overcame the layoff today and got a good prep she needed going forward.”
Bred in Great Britain by Fairway Thoroughbreds, In Italian was a $609,434 yearling purchase at the Tattersalls October sale by Brant's White Birch Farm. The 5-year-old has won five of her eight starts for earnings of $989,183.
Riding the defeated favorite Regal Glory was her regular partner, Jose Ortiz.
“The other filly (In Italian) is very nice,” Ortiz said. “She got loose on the lead again and she's doing great. Chad has done an amazing job with the two of them (In Italian and Regal Glory). Regal is a little bit older, but the other filly is tough. I feel like I had a great trip and I had every opportunity to beat her and I didn't. I'm just very proud of Regal's effort today.”
The remaining order of finish is as follows: Princess Grace, Technical Analysis, Market Rumor, and Vigilantes Way.
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