Owner Peter Brant and trainer Chad Brown enjoyed two victories at the highest level about an hour apart Saturday, including Rougir's game neck victory over Queen's Plate victress Moira, who ultimately was disqualified and placed eighth for interference.
Flirting Bridge, who finished third, a head behind Moira, was moved up to second, and Fev Rover placed to third in the nine-horse field.
Brant, who campaigns Rougir in partnership with Michael Tabor, and Brown also were represented in fine style at Keeneland when stablemates In Italian and Regal Glory finished a respective first and second in the First Lady (G1).
Rougir, ridden by Kazushi Kimura, found her best stride late and was got up in time in the E. P. Taylor, finishing the 1 ¼-mile turf test in 2:02.62 on firm going. She returned $12.60.
Adventuring, riding a two-race win streak, went to the front as Lemista and Mylady picked up the chase in second and third, respectively. Rougir settled into seventh of nine through an opening quarter in :26.78, while Moira, the even-money choice, sat sixth.
Adventuring held a 1 ½-length lead at the half, reached in :51.39, as Mylady and Lemista continued to apply pressure on the front-runner. Rougir, running comfortably in seventh, was then steadied at the nine-sixteenths, causing her to get knocked off stride and seemingly out of it as the field entered the turn for home.
While Rougir looked to get back into the race, Moira was guided to the rail and began to take aim at new leader Flirting Bridge.
Midway down the lane, Rougir came running with a determined outside bid, but still had plenty of work to do as the wire drew closer.
Under urging from Kimurashe wouldn't be denied, getting up to notch a neck victory over Moira. A subsequent claim of foul by the rider of Lemista demoted Moira to eighth.
A 4-year-old Territories filly, Rougir came in off a fifth in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1) August 13 at Churchill Downs but rebounded with aplomb Saturday while earning her first North American Grade 1 win.
Bred in France where she began her career, Rougir closed her French campaign with a victory in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) before finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) in her North American debut to end her 2021 campaign. She began 2022 with victory in the Beaugay (G3) at Belmont Park in May and after three unplaced finishes got back to the winner's circle Saturday.
The post Rougir Prevails In Woodbine’s E. P. Taylor, Provides Brant, Brown Second Top-Level Win Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
