Flying
Zee Racing Stables, LLC’s Agave Kiss broke alertly and was on cruise
control the rest of the way to remain undefeated in six starts with an
impressive score in the $100,000 Ms. Preakness Pink Warrior Stakes.
The
winner of four straight stakes, the daughter of Lion Heart carried
Ramon Dominguez to a 5 ½-length victory in 1:10.40 for the six-furlong
distance. Millionreasonswhy, ridden by John Velazquez, worked her way
up to take second, while Ageless finished third.
Agave
Kiss is trained by Rudy Rodriguez. Her previous stakes wins came in the
Ruthless and Cicada Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and the Trevose at Parx
Racing. The New York-bred filly paid $3.20 to win.
Miss Preakness Stakes Quotes
Rudy Rodriguez (winning trainer, Agave Kiss)
– “We felt very confident coming in. She’s very, very special. I was
not worried about any of these horses. But I know in the future there
are bigger races and deeper fields coming. We are just trying to get her
ready for those bigger races. She just keeps improving.”
Ramon Dominguez (winning jockey, Agave Kiss)
– “She broke sharp and put herself in front. She just kept opening up. I
had a strong hold on her and then I just tapped her on the shoulder a
couple of times and there was no stopping her.”
Ignacio Correas (trainer, Millionreasonswhy, 2nd) –
“It’s kind of tough when there’s only one speed horse in the race and
you’ve got a closer. The race fell apart with the two scratches. That’s
how it goes.”
John Velazquez (jockey, Millionreasonswhy, 2nd) – “There was only one speed horse in the race. When I started to move, I had to go around two horses. She ran really well.”