Venencia stays at 1 1/2 miles to win Keeneland’s Empress

Picture: Keeneland/Coady Media

First begin beneath French-bred coach Brendan Walsh venice He responded positively to Ben Curtis’ urging within the ultimate furlong at Keeneland on Sunday. She drew and gained a Grade 3, $350,000. dowager stakes When mares and mares run one furlong and 1.5 meters on bendable grass.

Despatched to the entrance to battle Cupid Crush (11-1) for the early lead, 5-year-old Venencia (7-1) proved most tenacious within the early parts with occasions of 25.92 seconds, 52.49 seconds, 1:16.98 and 1:42.82 after an 80-yard run-up.

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Cupid Crash misplaced momentum in three of three corners, and John Velasquez introduced his South African 6-year-old mare Breathmeisters (6 wins, 1 loss) from third to battle for the lead. Venencia maintained his benefit, passing the 1 1/4 mile in 2:08.35.

Because the Blessmeisters went head-to-head, Curtis rode clockwise to Venencia, who ran the race and gained by 2 3/4 lengths in 2:35.69. She paid $17.76, $9.04, and $5.28.

“We had the stamina, so it was greatest to check everybody else’s stamina,” Curtis stated. “I moved ahead and rounded the primary nook and he or she relaxed on me once more. From there I used to be in a position to trip my race and begin kicking off good and early. To be honest, Johnny got here and went at me. His horse rode effectively however my horse grounded out and got here again in eighth place ultimately and it went effectively.”

Bless My Stars remained in second place, returning $8.28 and $5.36. The 4-year-old horse VivVuve (3 wins, 1 loss), who was fifth within the nine-horse area, returned to 3rd place, two and a half lengths behind, in direction of the tip of the race, paying a prize of $3.38.

Venencia is owned by Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Lee Stables, Jim Cone, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Staff Hanley and Cambron Equine. The Lemon Drop Child mare Signal of Life’s Recoletos has bounced her round this summer time from Chad Brown in New York to Michael Doyle in Canada to Walsh in Kentucky.

“She has progressed effectively since she got here to us,” stated coach Walsh. He leads all trainers with 9 wins on the Keeneland Fall Meet. “We did not do something fancy in any respect. We simply saved it easy and it was a query of whether or not she would keep or not. After all, we preferred the bottom too. Every little thing was optimistic for her. She obtained the job completed.”

Since profitable the Endlessly Collectively at Aqueduct final fall, Venencia has completed third or fourth in six of the subsequent seven races, most not too long ago with Doyle ending fourth within the 1.3/8-mile Singspiel (G3) at Woodbine on Sept. 6.

With Sunday’s victory, Venencia improved its report to 14:3 wins, 1 loss, and 5 attracts. In the event you add $Her profession earnings improved to $373,817, in comparison with $147,250 on Sunday.

“She’s actually going to extend in worth heading into (Keeneland’s) November sale,” co-owner Peter Bradley stated. “She’s going to be a star on her day. She’s a fantastic filly. She’s obtained some racing left in her and that is what she’s attempting to do.”