Disposablepleasure overcame a calamitous start, an eventful trip and a desperate
late surge from Wildcat’s Smile to win Saturday’s 90th running of the
Grade 2, $200,000 Demoiselle at Aqueduct Racetrack by a nose.
Stumbling as she came out of the
starting gate, Disposablepleasure spotted the field a dozen lengths as she
trailed Wee Party through an opening quarter-mile in 23.85 and a half in 48.31.
Revving up on the turn, the 2-year-old daughter of 2005 Kentucky Derby winner
Giacomo began moving up rapidly with a bold outside move, then had to shift
course before splitting horses in the stretch and fending off the resurgent
Wildcat’s Smile to prevail in a photo finish.
Disposablepleasure completed 1
1/8 miles in 1:53.10 as a claim of foul from the rider of the third-place
finisher, Bourbonstreetgirl, against her was disallowed.
“She stumbled to her nose and got
back up, and I was already concerned about her chances from there,” said winning
jockey Ramon Dominguez. “She was taking me nicely and they were backing up in
front of me, and both [David] Cohen [aboard Bourbonstreetgirl] and I went out to
avoid colliding with the fillies in front. Then I had to take a hold, go back
inside, and regroup.”
The 6-5 favorite in the field of
10 juvenile fillies, Disposable Pleasure returned $4.50 for a $2 bet as she
extended her record to 2-1-0 from four starts, including an 11-length maiden
victory at Belmont Park on October 6. The winner’s purse of
$120,000 boosted her earnings to $161,600.
“It was a very courageous effort
by any horse, but especially a 2-year-old filly,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains
Disposablepleasure for Glencrest Farm. “She’s got a lot of natural ability, but
she showed she’s got some heart and desire to go along with it. For any horse to
win and overcome all that first time going 1 1/8 miles was impressive, but you
don’t see too many 2-year-old fillies do that.”
Completing the order of finish
behind third-place Bourbonstreetgirl were Wee Party, Brown Eyed Nance, Lady
Cohiba, Captivating Lass, Dreaming of Cara, Awalkinthemoonlite, and
Indyniable.