Chilean champion CASABLANCA SMILE (Chi) (Ocean Terrace) had run well in three
prior U.S. starts this season, all in stakes, and her breakthrough performance
came at last in Sunday's $125,000 Dowager S. at Keeneland. Outclassing her five rivals after getting away with
pedestrian fractions, the 7-5 favorite roared seven lengths clear to finish 1
1/2 miles in 2:33 3/5 on the firm turf.
The early leader was expected to be Speak Easy Gal (West Acre), but when she
took :27 3/5 to negotiate the opening quarter, Javier Castellano decided to send
Casablanca Smile forward. The Shug McGaughey filly easily took on the
front-running role and waltzed through fractions of :53 1/5, 1:18 4/5, 1:45 and
2:10 2/5. Casablanca Smile then sprinted away down the stretch, widening her
margin with every stride.
"We've run her three times and she's run great all three times, but today she
settled a lot better than she has in her previous races," assistant trainer
Robbie Medina said.
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