Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlethem Stables's A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) showed a new dimension Saturday to return to winning ways in Keeneland's GI First Lady S. Right to the front despite the presence of her speedy stablemate Quidura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})–who had gone box to wire in the GII Ballston Spa S. last out–the grey was tracked intently down the backside by Valadorna (Curlin) as she clicked off splits of :24.40 and :49.11. Asked for a bit more heading for home, she burst clear at the top of the lane before narrowly holding off a late bid from Dona Bruja (Arg) (Storm Embrujado {Arg}) in the shadow of the wire.
“I thought it worked out pretty good,” said winning rider John Velazquez. “Obviously being on the inside [from post two] we wanted to be close and wanted to make sure she was settling. We came out running, got our position and after that it was pretty good.”
The victory came just minutes after trainer Chad Brown sent out Wow Cat (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) to a victory in Belmont's GI Beldame S.
“[A Raving Beauty] took advantage of the inside post and just took control of the race,” Brown said. “I think given last time the way she fought [the rider] in the pocket, it made sense to give her a clear run today. The idea was to try and get to the lead if we could. It would either be her or Quidura.”
Saturday, Keeneland
FIRST LADY S.-GI, $400,000, Keeneland, 10-6, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:37.78, gd.
1–A RAVING BEAUTY (GER), 124, m, 5, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Anabasis (Ger), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Allure (Ger), by Konigsstuhl (Ger)
3rd Dam: Adjani (GB), by Surumu (Ger)
(€60,000 RNA Ylg '14 ARAUG; €95,000 RNA Ylg '14 BB14;
€225,000 4yo '17 ARQDE). O-Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables
LLC & Bethlehem Stables LLC; B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Chad
C. Brown; J-John R. Velazquez. $240,000. Lifetime Record:
Hwt. Older Mare on German Free Hand at 9 1/2-11f, MSW &
GSP-Ger, G1SP-Ity, 22-6-3-3, $1,018,555.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”bsw-mandore-arqana-single”][bullet ad=”elite-hip-160″][bullet ad=”mersant-international”][bullet ad=”german-horsepower”]2–Dona Bruja (Arg), 124, m, 6, by Storm Embrujado (Arg)
1st Dam: This Is Crazy (Aus), by Nureyev
2nd Dam: Crazy Fling, by Alysheba
3rd Dam: Some Romance, by Fappiano
O-Dom Felipe LLC; B-Gasparotto, Ivan Roberto (ARG); T-Ignacio
Correas, IV. $80,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Indian Blessing (GB), 124, f, 4, by Sepoy (Aus)
1st Dam: Alpen Glen (GB), by Halling
2nd Dam: Anne d'Autriche (Ire), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Anna Matrushka (GB), by Mill Reef
(€95,000 Ylg '15 ARAUG; €170,000 2yo '16 ARQMAY). O-Mr.
P. K. Siu; B-Jocelyn Targett (GB); T-Ed Walker. $40,000.[bullet ad=”mersant-international”]Margins: HD, 2 1/4, NK. Odds: 3.20, 13.30, 16.60.
Also Ran: Crown Walk (GB), Valadorna, Insta Erma, Quidura (GB), Off Limits (Ire), One Liz. Scratched: La Sardane (Fr).
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Campaigned in Europe by her breeder and trainer Andreas Suborics, A Raving Beauty was purchased for €225,000 at the Arqana December sale after a runner-up finish in Italy's G1 Premio Lydia Tesio that October. She resurfaced for these connections in Belmont's GIII Beaugay S. May 12, and won by an impressive three lengths before adding the GI Just a Game S. at Belmont June 9. A close third behind accomplished stablemate Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) in the nine-furlong GI Diana S. July 21, she was a last-out fourth behind both Quidura and Indian Blessing at odds-on in the Aug. 25 Ballston Spa.
Pedigree Notes:
A Raving Beauty's dam Anabasis is a half-sister to three-time German highweight Alianthus (Ger) (Hernando {Fr}). The winner was her first foal and she is also responsible for the 4-year-old filly Ava (Ger) (Kamsin {Ger}), the sophomore gelding Adjali (Ger) (Kamsin {Ger}) and a yearling filly named A Racing Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who was bought back for €290,000 at Arqana August.
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