Amazing Marie Pulls Falmouth Surprise
Description:
Robert Ogden's homebred Amazing Maria overtook front-runner Euro Charline late and stayed on strongly to capture the Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I) July 10 at Newmarket.
Ridden by James Doyle, the 4-year-old daughter of Mastercraftsman scooted clear to a length triumph, her first in a group I victory and second win from four starts this season, after coming on from last month's 25-1 score over multiple group I winner Rizeena at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Eng-II).
U.S. grade I winner Euro Charline, campaigned by Kentucky-based Team Valor, led a furlong out after keenly chasing pacesetter Arabian Queen. Although Amazing Marie proved too strong, she held for second in a five-horse finish for the place spot, denying dual French classic winner Avenir Certain, who was a head back in third. Bawina was a nose back in fourth, just narrowly edging Fintry and Lucida. Arabian Queen completed the order of finish.
A supplemental entrant, Amazing Maria covered the mile on firm turf in 1:42.05 at 17-2 odds, improving her record to 4-0-3 from 11 career starts. She was transferred to trainer David O'Meara last year after racing for trainer Ed Dunlop, for whom she won the 2013 Prestige Stakes (Eng-III) at Goodwood.
"She traveled well today and moved to within a striking position quite easily for James (Doyle)," O'Meara said of Amazing Maria, who was positioned off the early pace. "When he went for her, she found plenty.
"I suppose the Prix Rothschild (Fr-I, Aug. 2 at Deauville) would be the obvious race for her."
An Irish-bred, Amazing Marie is out of Maryland-bred Messias Da Silva, a daughter of Tale of the Cat who was a winner in England after Ogden paid $700,000 for her at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Florida selected 2-year-olds in training sale.