Curlin's Stageplay Captures the Rags to Riches at Churchill

STAGEPLAY (f, 2, Curlin">Curlin–Stage Stop {SW, $232,320}, by Valid Expectations) built on her impressive debut at Keeneland last month with a victory in the Rags to Riches S. in her first start facing winners. The gray rallied to win by three lengths over Carina Mia (Malibu Moon), who won next-out in 'TDN Rising Star' fashion earlier this week, in her Oct. 10 unveiling and was hammered down to 3-5 favoritism to remain unbeaten today. Never far back in the four path, the gray tracked the pace through a half-mile in :45.89 and moved willingly to contend for the lead midway on the final bend. She opened up a 3 1/2-length advantage in the stretch and held off a Dream Dance (Afleet Alex) to win by 1 1/2 lengths on the wire. The final time for one mile was 1:36.58. The winner is a half to She Digs Me (Henny Hughes), GSW, $195,683; and Mylute (Midnight Lute), GISP, $843,022. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $81,600.