Nadette Last to First in Wilshire for First U.S. Win
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Nadette wins the Wilshire Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Team Valor International's Nadette displayed a flashy turn of foot while going last to first in the $102,500 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park April 4.
Hesitating a moment when the gate popped, Nadette found herself behind from the start. A never-panicking Hector Berrios guided his 5-year-old Outstrip mare to the rail while favored Stay and Scam asserted herself on the lead through fractions of :23.15, :47.23, and 1:10.86.
Turning away a far turn bid by Adaay In Asia , Stay and Scam appeared home free as they swung into the stretch. Berrios flicked the reins at Nadette and she responded, vaulting from last of 10 to second in a matter of strides while squeezing through on the rail inside of Selenaia .
Taking aim at the loose frontrunner, Nadette rolled by inside the final sixteenth to win by two lengths with gas left in the tank, completing the mile in 1:34.16. Stay and Scam held second while Ascendancy completed the trifecta at odds of 50-1. Nadette paid $8.60 to win.
A three-time winner in Europe, Nadette had been winless through nine starts in the United States.
"Finally," said trainer Neil Drysdale. "She had been knocking on the door. She has the talent but had just been a little unlucky."
It was also Nadette's first graded victory as she increased her earnings to $236,634.