Trainer Kathleen DeMasi has never been happier that a race she was pointing to never filled.
That was in early June, when DeMasi was looking for a dirt sprint for All That Magic, a filly of modest accomplishments through her first four career starts. DeMasi opted to try the 4-year-old daughter of Fast Anna in a turf sprint instead, and has reaped since benefits beyond her wildest imagination.
The latest was All that Magic's gutsy nose victory over multiple stakes winner Train to Artemus in Sunday's $104,000 Incredible Revenge Stakes at 5½ furlongs on the turf at Monmouth Park – her first career stakes win and DeMasi's first stakes win since Nov. 29.
All That Magic is now 4-for-4 sprinting on the turf, with jockey Nik Juarez in the irons for those four consecutive wins.
“She's just amazing,” said DeMasi. “I wasn't really worried about the added distance (her previous three wins were at five furlongs on the grass) because she has been drawing away in her wins lately. My biggest concern was having just nine days rest. But she is just very good right now.”
Despite not breaking sharply, All That Magic was able to assume command quickly, with Train to Artemus – who had won eight of his previous 12 starts – on her flanks through an opening quarter in :21.95 and a half in :44.30. All That Magic dug in to hold on, with the late-running Can't Buy Love rallying for third, another three-quarters of a length back.
The winning time was 1:03.37.
“This is the first time she broke slowly in the four starts I have ridden her,” said Juarez. “I wanted her on the lead. I was a little worried when she wasn't on the lead immediately and she wasn't as comfortable as she usually is. I had to use her early to get the lead. But she's a talented filly.
“To do this again nine days later with a horse (Train to Artemus) hounding her the entire way really shows how impressive this was. It felt like a rushed pace for us, so for her to be able to throw it down in the lane and hold on says a lot about her class on the grass.”
DeMasi said the tardy break caused her some initial angst.
“Once I saw the break I was like, 'oh, that's not good,'” said DeMasi. “I saw she was being a little fussy at the gate. The guys did a great job getting her straightened out. She didn't break as sharply as she could have but Nik Juarez did a great job of getting her where she needed to be. She recovered well enough.
“She didn't get a breather, but I thought to win this race she had to be in front of Train to Artemus. I was a little concerned that horse was right on her hip the whole way and started thinking 'okay, I'll take second money.' But she dug in so gamely.”
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of eight fillies and mares, 3 and up, All That Magic returned $3.60 to win. Owned by Pewter and Spedale Family Racing, All That Magic now shows a 5-1-1 line for eight career starts.
The win in the Incredible Revenge Stakes came nine days after a six-length romp at Monmouth Park against allowance company at five furlongs on the grass.
The post ‘She Is Just Very Good Right Now’: Off Nine Days’ Rest, All That Magic Hangs Tough For First Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
