Dolce Zel Bests Stablemate in Lake George
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
Dolce Zel (inside) edges Eminent Victor in the Lake George Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, and Robert V. LaPenta's Dolce Zel overcame several obstacles to come out on the winning end of a photo finish with stablemate Eminent Victor in the July 22 $175,000 Lake George Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course.
Neither a slow start nor traffic trouble could stop Dolce Zel from earning her second graded stakes triumph with a ground saving trip under Irad Ortiz Jr.
The French-bred daughter of Zelzal lacked racing room around the far turn into the mid-stretch, but found a seam along the rail to win by a nose, providing trainer Chad Brown with a sixth, and fourth straight, Lake George coup.
"It's one of the many turf races up here at the meet that we really point towards," Brown said. "We've had the horses and the staff to get them ready. Both jockeys did their very best today. Through the years it's been a very rewarding race to point towards."
Al Qahira broke on top, racing in tandem with Gulfstream Park invader Sister Lou Ann into the first turn as Dolce Zel, who broke a step slow from post 4, settled a rail-skimming third. Al Qahira led through moderate opening fractions of :24.13, :48.33, and 1:12.30 over the firm going.
With Al Qahira still to catch as the field turned for home, Ortiz attempted to move Dolce Zel in between horses past the quarter-pole in upper stretch, but lacked racing room. Ortiz then swung Dolce Zel back to the rail as Al Qahira began to waver with favored Eminent Victor launching a powerful rally down the middle of the track. Those two duked it out to the wire, stopping the clock in a final time of 1:35.64 for the mile on the inner turf course.
It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Koala Princess , who charged late for third, getting up by a neck over Al Qahira.
Dolce Zel ($8.60) visited the winner's circle for the first time since her North American debut in the March 12 Florida Oaks (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Ortiz, who has piloted Dolce Zel in all four of her stateside starts, said her small stature came in handy.
"She's tiny and that helps a little because there was not too much room, but that was the only choice (to stay inside), so I (went) for it," Ortiz said. "She got through, and after she got through, she put her head down and fought with the other one. It worked out good."
The close finish was fitting, as Brown believed both fillies had an equally legitimate chance.
"People asked me all day walking around the track, 'Who do you like? Who do you like in this race between them?'" Brown said. "I think I told them all the truth—it's close. And it proved to almost be a dead heat. These situations are unfortunate that there has to be a loser because both horses ran so good. We almost got that, 'I'll get it one day.' A dead heat here at Saratoga. You get two wins for that. Both horses ran terrific."
Brown said the Aug. 20 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at the Spa could be in the cards for both Dolce Zel and Eminent Victor.
Dolce Zel, increasing her earnings to $307,155, was bred in France by Scuderia Micolo Di Nicola Galli and C. SNC. She is out of the winning Dr Fong mare Dolce Attesta, making her a half sister to multiple group stakes-placed, stakes-winning Pure Zen (Zoffany ).