With a decisive late backstretch/early second-turn move that brought her from fifth to first, Avenue de France got the jump on 1-2 favorite Going Global and withstood the latter's stretch rally to win the $251,000 John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T) Sept. 10 at Del Mar.
Though the 5-year-old daughter of Cityscape launched an early move under Juan Hernandez, Del Mar's leading rider, she proved able to sustain it, even with Going Global hot at her heels through the stretch run. Avenue de France was never seriously threatened by Going Global, the 2-5 favorite, who could only gain minimal ground down the lane. She fell a half-length short of Avenue de France.
Going to Vegas , a fellow grade 1 winner like Going Global, ran third, beaten three lengths, after shaking clear of traffic in the stretch after bottled up on the backstretch and second turn.
Hernandez indicated it was not his pre-race intention to move early with his mount, but when she tugged at the reins down the backstretch, he decided to let her roll earlier than planned in the 1 1/8-mile Mabee.
"It looked like she want to run, so I saw the opportunity to go around and make my move a little early today, not from the quarter-pole, but from the three-eighths," he said. "I took my chance and (thought), 'Hey, If I get caught, I'm gonna get caught on the wire.' But good thing my filly held on for an extra one furlong move."
The winner raced 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course in 1:47.96 following splits of :23.73, :46.53 and 1:11 set by Park Avenue , who yielded thereafter to finish last in the field of seven. With the wagering public largely focused on the Phil D'Amato-trained pair of Going Global and Going to Vegas, Avenue de France returned $23.80 for a $2 win wager.
She was timed in 1:47.96 over a firm turf course.
"She's on her game. She's got a very good turn of foot," said trainer Leonard Powell. "She caught Going Global flat-footed at the three-eighths, and when Going Global came at her she re-rallied.
I thought (Juan Hernandez) had moved too early, honestly, but it turned out to be the winning move. That's why Juan is at the top of the ladder right now."
Avenue de France earned $150,000 for Saturday's victory, her most significant win for owners Benowitz Family Trust, Convergence Stable, Madaket Stables, Wonder Stables, and Mathilde Powell. The Mabee was the first graded stakes win of her 22-race career and elevated her bankroll to $525,066.
Bred in France, the winner is out of the Invincible Spirit mare Sharja Princess , a half sister to group 3 winner Without a Fight . She is the dam's lone winner from three foals, though another, 2-year-old Soleil Du Desert is placed this year as a juvenile. The dam's other foal is a yearling filly by Seabhac .
Avenue de France is a graduate of two public sales, most recently acquired by Mandore International Agency from the Guillemin consignment to the 2019 Arqana Saint-Cloud Arc Sale.