Ageless Takes Royal North in Record Time
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Lael Stables' Ageless ran down front-runner Leigh Court in the stretch and won the Royal North Stakes (Can-IIIT) in course-record time July 26 at Woodbine.
The 4-5 favorite off her recent third-place run against males in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park, Ageless rallied strongly from next to last at the top of the stretch, overtook Leigh Court with a furlong to run, and then edged away in a three-quarter-length triumph.
Under Julien Leparoux, Ageless covered six furlongs in a record 1:07.17 on firm turf. The time eclipses the previous record of 1:07.18 set by Go Blue Or Go Home July 5 in the Highlander Stakes (Can-IIT).
Leigh Court forced the pace of Richies Party Girl and took over around the turn, with early fractions going in :22.22 and :44.22. Leigh Court appeared en route to victory, after shaking fee in early stretch, before Ageless nabbed her to get the win.
"She's getting better all the time," Leparoux said. "Today, she won very impressively.Today, the way she came after those horses was great."
Ageless paid $3.40, $2.10, and $2.10. Leigh Court returned $2.90 and $2.30. Zensational Bunny, who was 5 1/2 lengths back in third, paid $2.90 to show.
Trained by Arnaud Delacour, Ageless won last year's Royal North by a half-length from Sky Treasure. With this year's record-setting victory, her résumé improves to 10-4-4 from 21 career starts.
A 6-year-old daughter of Successful Appeal , Ageless is out of the Point Given mare Special One. Lael Stables bought her for $130,000 via Nicoma's agency at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale, where breeder Hinkle Farms consigned.
Richies Party Girl was fourth and Surtsey fifth, to round out the finish. Executive Allure and Resistivity were scratched.
Earlier on the card, Conquest Stables' Conquest Pacemaker ($21.30) made his stakes debut a winning one with a front-running score in the listed Toronto Cup Stakes for 3-year-olds. With Eurico Rosa da Silva riding for trainer Mark Casse, the son of Eskendereya —Heart Rate, by Mr. Greeley, won by 1 1/2 lengths under a hand ride, defeating Lucky Lindy, with stablemate Flashaway third. He covered 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:46.08. Indebted, the 2-1 favorite, had no rally and finished fifth in the seven-horse field.