R Betty Graybull wore
down odds-on favorite Quiet Giant to win the 139th running of the
$100,000 Ladies Handicap on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Racing beyond one mile for the first time in her career, R Betty
Graybull took her customary spot at the back the field as Quiet Giant ran a
half-mile in 47.49 while being pressed by Speightful Affair. Eddie Castro got
to work aboard R Betty Graybull nearing the quarter pole, and she gradually
reeled in Quiet Giant to win by three-quarters of a length, denying jockey
David Cohen his fifth winner on the card.
“I know they had a lot of speed up front, and I rode the same as
the last time I was on her,” said Castro. “I let her drop back,
relax, and make a run. She really responded when I asked her. She is a nice
filly and has a lot of fight.”
R Betty Graybull completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:50.56, earned
$60,000 to push her bankroll to $429,817, and returned $7.60 for a $2 win wager
to her backers in the crowd of 6,380.
Winning trainer Linda Ann White said the win was a tribute to her
former boss Alan Seewald, who trained R Betty Graybull prior to his passing in
April 2010.
“Alan was always afraid to stretch her out because she had knee
surgery as a 2-year-old and he thought it’d be too hard on her knees to
change leads going around two turns, but she is certainly bred for the
distance,” said White. “With her running style, she is easy on
herself. We bought this horse when Alan was alive, and he put the foundation in
her. He is credited for where she is today.”
The 5-year-old daughter of Holy Bull had won her two previous starts
around two turns, having captured an allowance at Parx Racing on December 4 and
the Leecoo overnight stakes at Aqueduct on January 13 prior to her sixth-place
finish in the Grade 2, seven-furlong Barbara Fritchie Handicap on February 19.
Overall, she is 8-3-3 from 20 starts.
R Betty Graybull is owned in partnership by Fantasy Lane Stable and
Stronach Stables, with the latter having acquired an interest prior to her
start in the Fritchie. She was bred in New
York by Pegasus Farms, Inc.
State Treasure finished 9 ¾ lengths behind the winner in third, with
Speightful Affair and Potosina completing the order of finish. Cody Samora was
scratched.
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