Ruthin Prevails in Limestone Thriller

The least likely of trainer Wesley Ward’s duo of contenders prevailed in a thrilling gate-to-wire score in the April 15 $200,000 TVG Limestone Stakes. Stonestreet Stables' Ruthin , despite facing a 10-month layoff and registering only one work at Turfway Park, capitalized on her swift series of drills at Stonestreet Training Center in Ocala with her first stakes victory. 

Ruthin was dismissed at 8-1 by the bettors in the field of eight sophomore fillies as the money landed on her stablemate, the Caravaggio   filly Her World , a winner of last year's Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park against the males in her sole trip to the post. Waterville Lake Stables' Derrynane , triumphant over the Tapeta track at Woodbine in the Woodbine Cares Stakes as a juvenile and a close fourth in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T), also closed the windows as the 5-2 second choice. 

Guided by John Velazquez, Ruthin gunned out of the starting gate and outfooted Her World for early command. The daughter of Ribchester  cruised around the oval through an opening quarter of :22.59 before being pressed by Her World into the run around the far turn. Stride for stride into the lane, Ruthin turned back her stablemate in mid-stretch before outlasting the furious charge from Derrynane, who had trailed the field for most of the 5 1/2-furlong journey. 

"I didn't think (Ruthin) was going to be that fast," said Velazquez. "She was fast out of (the gate)—really, really quick. She jumped so hard she sat me back. I haven't had a horse do that from the gate. After that I just tried to hustle her along to the wire."

Ruthin ($18.20) finished a neck in front of Derrynane. Her World was another three-quarters of a length back in third to complete the trifecta. She hit the wire in a time of 1:03.33 on turf rated as good. 

"(Ruthin has) been with Ian Brennan at (owner) Stonestreet (Stables' training center in Ocala), and then we sent her back there again, and he sent her back to me ready to go," said Ward. "I haven't really done too much with her. Ian did a great job. We just had one easy breeze with her at Turfway last week and here we are, standing in the winner's circle. It's fantastic."

Ward hinted that a return trip overseas to Royal Ascot would be discussed with Stonestreet owner Barbara Banke. Ruthin finished seventh, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot last summer as a 2-year-old. 

Bloodstock agent Ben McElroy signed the ticket for Ruthin for $474,776 at Book 1 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. She was consigned by her co-breeder, Highclere Stud. Bred in the U.K., Ruthin is out of the stakes-winning Selkirk mare Selinka, making her a half sister to multiple group 3 stakes winner Hit The Bid  (Exceed And Excel ). Selinka's last reported foal is a yearling colt by Land Force .

Video: TVG Limestone S. (BT)