Clement 1-2 With Mutamakina, Traipsing in Long Island

Al Shira'aa Farms' Mutamakina didn't always look like the winner of the $100,000 Long Island Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 28, but trainer Christophe Clement sure did.

He ran 1-2 in the 1 3/8-mile race when Mutamakina caught barnmate Traipsing late after the latter led for nearly all of the race. The turn of foot from former French runner Mutamakina was too much, and she burst up the inside for a three-quarter-length victory.

A draw in post 4 and a heady ride from Dylan Davis put her in position. Davis was able to get her to the rail for the 1 3/8-mile race, and a ground-saving trip around three turns proved key.

"I didn't think I was going to get there at first because I saw (Traipsing jockey) Kendrick (Carmouche) pull away a bit, but she does take a little bit of time to get running," Davis said. "When she started moving, I knew it was over. Within the last eighth of a mile, she was just getting into stride and I was just staying out of her way and keeping her happy."

The 4-year-old daughter of Nathanial was timed in 2:21.08 for the distance on good ground. She paid $5.90.

Traipsing, relaxing up front with slow splits of :52.62, 1:19.76, and 1:45.21, fought bravely but ultimately could not repel the winner's late inside surge.

Delta's Kingdom settled for third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up. Eliade, who fought restraint when third down the backstretch, settled for fourth.

The Long Island was the second U.S. start for Mutamakina, both for Clement. Her two U.S. races have also come with the treatment of the diuretic Lasix, which is prohibited in French racing but is permitted in the U.S to control respiratory bleeding.  All 12 Long Island starters raced with Lasix.

Mutamakina finished third in the Zagora Stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 31 in her previous start, beaten a half-length after encountering traffic issues. That effort led her to start as the Long Island favorite.

"I'll have to talk to the owner, but she might stay another year," Clement said of her racing future. "Obviously, the way she ran today, she will be an exciting prospect for the 1 1/2-mile division. I thought she was extremely unlucky last time at Belmont Park. I was delighted to see her win. She deserved a graded stakes win."

Clement also praised Traipsing, a Stone Farm homebred by Stroll who stretched out after winning a 1 1/16-mile allowance-level race Sept. 26 at Belmont.

"She's now graded stakes-placed and should have a nice career going longer," Clement said. "She might have just got beat by a better horse."

Bred in Britain by Widgham Stud, Mutamakina is the lone stakes winner from nine foals from the Danehill mare Joshua's Princess. Six other foals are winners.

Shawn Dugan, agent, purchased her for 100,000 guineas (US$137,225) from the New England Stud consignment at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017.