On paper, the Grade 2 Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs appeared to go through the undefeated Munnys Gold, but Red Carpet Ready got the better of the heavy favorite on Friday at the conclusion of an extended stretch duel to earn her second career graded stakes win.
Out of the gate, Red Carpet Ready stayed on the heels of Munnys Gold, who quickly established the lead from the outside post and stayed several paths wide Irad Ortiz Jr. Condensation held the rail spot and tried to keep pace in second through an opening quarter-mile in :22.67 seconds.
Munnys Gold entered the turn with a one-length advantage over Condensation on her inside and Red Carpet Ready on her outside. Jockey Luis Saez began to rouse up on Red Carpet Ready after the half-mile point, crossed in :45.11 seconds, and she began to approach the leader's throat latch while Condensation faded into the pack.
Munnys Gold and Red Carpet Ready were on even terms at the top of the stretch, and after showing early patience when Saez started asking Red Carpet Ready for run, Ortiz began urging his mount, as well.
Red Carpet Ready gained an advantage around the three-sixteenths pole, and she began to inch away from the favorite as they approached the eighth pole, stretching out to a 1 1/2-length advantage. However, Munnys Gold started gaining ground again from the inside with a sixteenth to go, setting up for a dramatic photo finish.
Red Carpet Ready refused to let Munnys Gold regain the lead in the final jumps, and she held on to win by a head. Accede established herself as the best of the rest exiting the turn, and she carried on for third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.
Red Carpet Ready stopped the clock in the seven-furlong race in 1:22.28 over a fast main track. She paid $13.44 to win as the field's second choice.
The daughter of Mill Ridge Farm's Oscar Performance is owned by Ashbrook Farm and Upland Flats Racing, and Rusty Arnold was the winning trainer. She was bred in Kentucky by Lynn Schiff. Friday's victory improved Red Carpet Ready's record to four wins in five starts for earnings of $588,670.
The Eight Belles was a fine consolation prize for the connections of Red Carpet Ready after failing to earn enough qualifying points to enter the gate for the Kentucky Oaks.
Friday's effort confirmed her prowess around one turn, where she is now unbeaten in four starts. Red Carpet Ready won her debut at Churchill Downs last year as a 2-year-old by 10 lengths going six furlongs, and she followed with a score in the 6 1/2-furlong Fern Creek Stakes at the same track a month later.
Red Carpet Ready started her 3-year-old season with a 2 1/2-length score in the G3 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park, then she suffered her lone career defeat in her first two-turn effort, the G2 Davona Dale Stakes, where she set the pace and faded to third.
Quotes provided by Churchill Downs notes team:
Luis Saez, jockey, Red Carpet Ready, winner: “This filly had a good break, and she put us right in it. When she got the lead, I wanted her to open it up, but she was waiting a little bit. When she was alone, she waited for the other horse to come back. I was pretty worried about the other horse, because in the long stretch, she tried hard to catch us. Red Carpet Ready is a spectacular filly. She always tries really hard.”
Rusty Arnold II, trainer, Red Carpet Ready, winner: “She wants to sprint and she loves it here. We're going to regroup and keep to sprinting. Louie (Luis Saez) rode her great. He took it to her (odds-on favorite Munnys Gold, on the lead) and she was ready.”
Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey, Munnys Gold, runner-up: “The winner jumped for me, and I tried to turn her back, but we came up short. The fractions were beautiful, beautiful. She tried to come back, and was very game, but just got beat. We'll fight another day.”
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