Augustin Stable’s Fantasia made a four-wide rally in the
stretch to overtake the front runners and hold off a late charge by Romin Robin
to win the Grade III $150,000 Modesty Handicap by a length on Saturday.
The time of 1:53.80 for the mile and three-sixteenths over firm turf set a
stakes record for the Modesty.
With Rajiv Maragh in the irons, the 5-year-old daughter of
Sadler’s Wells bided her time early, began to ease her way toward the front on
the second turn before launching a powerful stretch kick and hold safe for the
win.
“I
knew I needed to be a little closer so I moved up a bit without using too much
horse, and when I asked her she ran great,” said Maragh, who was riding his
first winner at Arlington Park.
The victory, her first in four starts this year and her
sixth in 18 starts overall, earns Fantasia an automatic berth and her entry and
starting fees waived for the Grade I Beverly D. which will be run here Aug.
13. She picked up $87,300 to boost her bankroll to $673,441.
Favored Wasted Tears was quick from the gate and led the
field through solid fractions of 23.85 seconds, 48.09 seconds, 1:11.78 and
1:35.95 before giving way late.
“She
just got a little too tired, didn't have the punch she usually does,” said
Julien Leparoux, who was aboard the beaten favorite.
Romin Robin rallied to poke a head
in front briefly but couldn’t hold off the winner.
“She
stumbled at the start and made a great run and just couldn’t catch the winner,”
said jockey J. Z. Santana, who rode the runner-up.
My
Baby Bay was third in the eight-horse field, followed by Askbut I Won’t Tell,
Wasted Tears, La Gran Bailadora, Endless Expanse and Oregon Lady.
Second
choice in the wagering, Fantasia returned $9.80, $5 and $3.20. Romin
Robin returned $13.80 and $8. My Baby Baby paid $4.