Entering this test on the back of a pair of Grade I wins, Letruska (Super Saver) was installed as the overwhelming favorite at 4-5 and more than justified those odds, running an overmatched field off their feet in Churchill's GII Fleur de Lis S. This event was a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in November at Del Mar.
Veering right a bit exiting her outside post, Letruska went straight to the front under Jose Ortiz and clocked opening splits of :24.533 and :48.19 with Antoinette (Hard Spun) prompting from second. Still under a hand ride from Ortiz turning for home, the bay opened up with ease in the lane to win for fun. Antoinette held second and Envoutante (Uncle Mo) completed the trifecta.
“She's a spectacular horse,” said trainer Fausto Gutierrez. “I don't really like to say what's next but she was great today. We know she's a really nice dirt horse and is supposed to win at different racetracks and different conditions for a possible Horse of the Year campaign.”
“There was a little question mark coming into this race off three weeks rest but I knew Fausto is a great trainer and he'd have her ready,” Ortiz said. “She is a really nice mare and she was ready today. She got to the front pretty easy and she was comfortable the entire way around there.”
Undefeated in her native Mexico, Letruska captured her U.S. debut in the Copa Invitacional Del Caribe S. in December of 2019. Her first American graded victory came in Saratoga's GIII Shuvee S. last August, but faded to fourth after setting the pace next out in Belmont's GII Beldame Invitational S. in October. Romping in Gulfstream's GIII Rampart S. Dec. 12, the bay captured the GIII Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 31 and missed by a head to MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) in Oaklawn's GII Azeri S. Mar. 13. She faced even stiffer competition next out in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 17 in champions Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil). Letruska showed she was more than up for the challenge, denying two-time Eclipse winner Monomoy Girl by a nose with Swiss Skydiver in third. The 5-year-old followed suit with a decisive wire-to-wire score in Belmont's GI Ogden Phipps S. June 5 stamping herself as the clear divisional leader.
Pedigree Notes:
Letruska is one of five Grade I winners, 13 graded scorers and 29 black-type victors by Super Saver. Her GSP dam Magic Appeal is a full-sister to Grade I winner J P's Gusto. The 14-year-old mare's recent produce includes a juvenile colt named Ocotzingo (Hard Spun); a yearling colt by the late Arrogate; and a filly by the recently deceased Malibu Moon, born May 5. This is also the family of Eclipse winner Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) and Canadian champion Miss Mischief (Into Mischief).
Saturday, Churchill Downs
FLEUR DE LIS S.-GII, $300,000, Churchill Downs, 6-26, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:48.57, ft.
1–LETRUSKA, 124, m, 5, by Super Saver
1st Dam: Magic Appeal (GSP), by Successful Appeal
2nd Dam: Call Her Magic, by Caller I. D.
3rd Dam: Malibu Magic, by Encino
O/B-St. George Stable LLC (KY); T-Fausto Gutierrez; J-Jose L.
Ortiz. $184,140. Lifetime Record: 20-15-1-1, $1,616,459.
*1/2 to Trigger Warning (Candy Ride (ARG)), MSW & GISP,
$555,378. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Werk Nick Rating: A.
2–Antoinette, 119, f, 4, Hard Spun–Shuruq, by Elusive Quality.
O/B-Godolphin, LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott. $59,400.
3–Envoutante, 119, f, 4, Uncle Mo–Enchante, by Bluegrass Cat.
($250,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). O-Walking L Thoroughbreds, LLC
and Three Chimneys Farm; B-Jumping Jack Racing LLC (KY);
T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $29,700.
Margins: 5 3/4, 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.70, 22.30, 2.30.
Also Ran: Point of Honor, Spice Is Nice, Vault. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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