After starting 2022 on a resounding track with clear wins in the Royal Delta Stakes (G3) and Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) bets, the rest of the Letruska The 6-year-old campaign has taken on a more somber tone. The 2021 older women’s champion failed to repeat in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), where she finished fifth, and most recently in the Individual Handicap (G1) August 27, where she led head until being beaten in the quarterfinals first Malathaat and Search Results for the third test.
Back at KeenelandA track she has traditionally developed for coach Fausto Gutierrez, Letruska will take part in a short course on October 9 at the $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1).
St. George Stable’s Letruska caught Spinster last year in striker style in his final preparations for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). The $3 million earner easily made it in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff after engaging in an early suicide speed showdown.
After performing Personal Ensign, Letruska rehearsed encouragingly at Churchill Downsclock a: 59.80 years hand October 2. Daughter of Super savings will be ridden for the first time by Tyler Gaffalione in Sunday’s 1/8-mile race, replacing casual rider Jose Ortiz.
An undisputed striker, Letruska could face some pressure early in the Rotation from Rigney Racing’s Play hard . Intern Philip Bauer often races ahead or near the lead. She entered the Wheel at 5 3/4 of the length in the Locust Grove Stakes (G3) Circuit on September 17 at Churchill, a race she only underrated the pacesetter.
Drawn outside Letruska, driver Joel Rosario can choose the same tactic on Played Hard.
“(The Locust Grove is the race) we are always waiting for her,” Bauer said of the improvement Into Mischief dirty. “She’s always shown a lot of ability and since we’ve taken her for two laps, she’s just another horse.”
Bauer wasn’t too concerned with a quick turnaround for Played Hard.
“We’ve been back and forth about Spinster. (Back) three weeks. But it looks like there’s a lot more in the tank there and with time, there’s not much left so we thought we’d give Spinster a try. a shot at Breeders’ Cup or either way to Falls City (G2).”
The Spinster will mark the first time Played Hard has faced level 1 opposition since a disappointing fifth-place attempt in the 2021 Alabama Stakes (G1) after race favorite Malathaat.
The championship 3-year-old child star of 2021 signaled her return to the top of her division with an incredible Personal Ensign win. In just her second start since being dressed in a blink, her 4-year-old daughter Curlin beat a quality field of older fillers and mares for Hall of Fame coach Todd Pletcher to win her fourth grade.
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Dismissed by John Velasquez, who drove Malathaat on her last eight trips to the location, Malathaat sports a 2v2 record on the Keeneland strip, merging the Ashland Stakes (G1) Central Bank as the way as a sophomore and took Baird Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in her 4 year old debut.
Classified multi-stakes winners Military wife and Mark Dedomenico’s The Princess of Cairo Finalize the lineup for Sunday’s race.
The winner of the Wheel will receive an all-inclusive entry to the Breeders ‘Cup Distaff in Keeneland on November 5 as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.
Item: Juddmonte Spinster S. (G1)
KeenelandSunday, October 9, 2022, Race 9
- Level I
- 1 1/8 minutes
- Dust
- 600,000 dollars
- 3 yo & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:45pm (local)
