Heavily favored Quiet Giant stretched her
winning streak to three at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday afternoon, drawing off
to a commanding nine-length victory over Mined Over Matter in the 39th
running of the $65,000 Rare Treat for fillies and mares.
Ridden by New York’s leading
jockey, Ramon Dominguez, the 4-year-old daughter of Giant’s
Causeway assumed command at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race to lead
through an opening quarter-mile in 23.49. Joined on the backside by Opus A,
Quiet Giant continued to roll easily through a half-mile in 48.74 and
three-quarters in 1:13.69, opening up on her rival on the turn and then
cruising to the wire in 1:53.22 over a fast inner track.
“I was a little bit concerned when [Opus A] came to me because it
felt like we were picking it up pretty good, but turning for home when she
switched leads, she just took off again,” said Dominguez. “She
galloped out super strong, the distance was perfect, and it seems like the further
the better for her.”
It was the third straight inner track victory for Quiet Giant, who took
the Cheap Seats overnight stakes in her Aqueduct debut on December 12 and then
won the Lady on the Run on January 16. Prior to that, the Edward P. Evans
homebred had fashioned a record of 2-1-0 from five starts including a maiden
victory at Parx Racing and an allowance win at Delaware Park.
“She looked like she relaxed really well,” said Jonathan
Thomas, assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher, who took last year’s
Rare Treat with Life At Ten. “Even though it was a short field it could
have been one of her more impressive performances. Looking ahead, we hope she
will go on to bigger things.”
Sent off as the 1-9 favorite, Quiet Giant returned $2.10 for a $2 win
bet, and lifted her earnings to $172,050 for the Estate of Edward P. Evans.
Mined Over Matter was a half-length in front of Opus A, with Dolce
Pentimento completing the order of finish. Awesome Bull was scratched.