Rodney Lundock's Maryquitecontrary is scheduled to make her first start for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey in Saturday's Madison (G1) at Keeneland while seeking her seventh victory in eight career starts. The homebred daughter off First Dude won't have a rider change, however, for the seven-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares.
Luca Panici and Maryquitecontrary have teamed for six wins in six races, including eye-catching off-the-pace victories in the seven-furlong Inside Information (G2) last time out and one-turn mile Rampart during Gulfstream's Championship Meet.
Why change a winning combination?
“Thanks to the owner and trainer. I'm excited. It's a short field but I think we have a good shot,” said Panici between races on Thursday's opening day card of the Royal Palm Meet.
Formerly trained by Joe Catanese III, Maryquitecontrary graduated in her first start June 11 under Panici before finishing second behind multiple-stakes winner Last Leaf in the Azalea Stakes with Hall of Famer Edgar Prado aboard. Reunited with Panici, the homebred filly has won five straight races, including four stakes, with her off-the-pace and going-away running style.
“She's a good horse. Like with every good horse, you enjoy it. She's a horse when she has a target, she wants to catch it,” said the Milan, Italy native who has been a mainstay in the South Florida jockey colony for more than a decade. “It's a joy to ride this kind of horse.”
Maryquitecontrary drew Post 5 in a field of five and is rated third at 6-1 on the morning line behind 2-5 favorite Goodnight Olive, who's slated to make her first start since capturing the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland, and Society, a Grade 1 winner who finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) last time out.
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