Fast Closer Mrs McDougal Snatches Lake George

Mrs McDougal closed on the outside with ground-devouring strides, overtaking battling front-runners Feathered and Cara Marie late to win the $200,000 Lake George Stakes (g. IIT) July 24, opening day at Saratoga Race Course.

 

Mrs McDougal avenged her loss to Feathered last time out, when she was fourth after pressing that rival in the American Oaks (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. That race marked a huge class leap from Mrs McDougal's a front-running 7 1/4-length allowance romp April 24 at Aqueduct Racetrack, but in saving ground early and closing swiftly in the Lake George, she proved more than capable of handling graded company, winning by a half-length from Feathered. 

 

Cara Maria dogged pacesetter Feathered, a half-length back from second. down the backstretch and around the turn, and battled the runner-up all the way to the line as Mrs McDougal denied both fillies. Cara Maria held on for third, just a nose behind Feathered. Mrs McDougal's stablemate, 2-1 favorite Partisan Politics, finished fourth.

 

After settling in fifth, but out four wide early and then angling wide into the stretch, Mrs McDougal covered 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.2 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for Chad Brown, who trains the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro  . Unraced at 2, she won for the third time in five career starts for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren, including a three-length win in her debut in February at Gulfstream Park.

 

"I was hoping we could save a little more ground early," Brown said. "She didn't get away from the gate great and got hung out most of the race. I was concerned we were losing too much ground, but she overcame it."

 

Ortiz said he had a good trip, although a little wide. 

 

"But it worked out good," the jockey said. "I just rode my race. I was comfortable and in a great spot. She's a nice filly. She can go to the lead, she can come from off the pace, it doesn't matter."

 

Mrs McDougal, under 117 pounds, paid $11, $5.10, and $4.10. Feathered, who lugged topweight of 123 pounds, returned $4.60 and $4. Cara Marie, under 115 pounds, delivered $8.60 to show.

 

Trained Todd Pletcher was pleased with the performance of Feathered, who went the opening six furlongs in 1:12.93.

 

"I thought she ran very well," Pletcher said. "We kind of had pressure all the way. It's tough when you have to carry 123 pounds from the 10 post, but I thought she almost overcame it."

 

Mrs McDougal, bred in Kentucky by Aaron and Marie Jones from graded-placed stakes winner Distorted Passion, by Distorted Humor  , was a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Walnut Green in 2013. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned.

 

All in Fun was fifth, followed by Jellicle Ball, Mississippi Delta, Robillard, and Sivoliere to complete the order of finish. Celestine, Lady Zuzu, and My Year Is a Day were scratched.