Altaf Steps Up to Capture Lady's Secret Stakes
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Photo: Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Altaf wins the Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park
No matter what challenges trainer Chad Brown throws at the lightly-raced Altaf she seems to handle each one easier than the last.
Facing stakes company for the first time while also trying two turns for the first time, Altaf had no problem with either, rolling to a 2 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes June 6 at Monmouth Park.
The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro —Fawaarek, by Smart Strike, was making just her fourth career start, having graduated from the first level allowance ranks in her 2021 debut April 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"This is a very good filly. We've been waiting on this filly for a long time because we could tell she was talented," said Luis Cabrera, who oversees Brown's division at Monmouth. "She has been worth waiting for."
The 4-5 favorite in the field of six fillies and mares 3 and up, the Shadwell Stable-owned Altaf was placed in perfect striking position behind early leaders Velvet Crush and Gibberish , who ran in tandem through early fractions of :24.15, :47.52, and 1:11.56 for six furlongs.
Altaf bid three wide on the far turn before tipped out by Dylan Davis, dueled with Gibberish, then took charge at the top of the lane before completing 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.64.
"I liked what I saw in the paddock," said Davis. "She's a nice, big filly and when I got on her she handled herself professionally. She has a nice, big stride.
"Coming out of the gate I just wanted to break well and be in good striking position. Once I did that I was very happy with what I saw in front of me. It was a good enough pace and I was able to get outside into the second turn and just let her get her stride going and once I did that it was over.
"It's very impressive for any horse to easily handle the jump in competition and the different challenges the way she has. She can be a nice filly. She ran great today and she has room to improve."
Cabrera said there were never any distance concerns with Altaf, who has won three of her four career starts, with all three wins on dirt.
"She can go longer if we ask her to. She has long strides," said Cabrera. "Two turns are not a problem for her."
Gibberish held for second, 3 1/4 lengths ahead of Landing Zone in third. Velvet Crush faded to fourth.
A Kentucky homebred for Shadwell, Altaf has earned $150,880. She is the second foal and first winner out of Fawaarek, who has since produced the unraced 2-year-old Union Rags colt named Mutahid, a yearling colt by Kitten's Joy , and a full brother to Altaf born May 10. Altaf's second dam is champion grass mare Golden Apples .