Baruta Goes Out a Ken Maddy Winner
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photography
Baruta wins the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes.
Second in her first U.S. graded try, Rio Dios Irmaos' homebred Baruta took a liking to the Santa Anita Park downhill turf course and picked up her first graded score, claiming the $100,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes (gr. IIIT) in convincing fashion Oct. 25.
Group I placed when she raced in Brazil in 2012 and 2013, the daughter of Crimson Tide sat just off the pace in the Maddy, cruised past frontrunners Amaranth and Velvet Mesquite exiting the turn, and pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths under leading rider Rafael Bejarano. Velvet Mesquite held for second, a half-length ahead of closing Theatre Star.
The Maddy was the 6-year-old Richard Mandella trainee's final start; Rio Dios Irmaos racing manager Alberto Figueiredo said she will be retired to breeding duties in Kentucky. It was her first start on turf since winning an allowance/optional claiming event down the Santa Anita hill in June.
"We're very happy with how she ran," Figueiredo said. "(Mandella) has done the job and the mare had racing on her mind. She settled nicely today and she loves to come back fresh, so that was good. This was her last race. She's going to Kentucky to be bred, but we have not finalized plans yet."
Amaranth sped to the front immediately, leading the way with fractions of :21.63 and :43.89 through a half mile, before Baruta took command in the stretch and hit the wire in 1:12.96 over firm turf.
"I knew Amaranth and Velvet Mesquite were going to be the speed," Bejarano said. "I figured I would get a good break, get my position, and she showed me a big kick after we crossed the dirt."
Sent off as the 9-2 third choice, Baruta brought $11.60, $6.20, and $4.40 across the board. Velvet Mesquite brought $7.40 and $5.40, while Theatre Star delivered $3.80 to show.
Amaranth tired and finished fourth, followed by 5-2 favorite Chati's On Top, Kool Kat, Off the Road, and Spirit of Xian.
Bred in Brazil out of the Mensageiro Alado mare Ultrasonic Girl, Baruta now has a 6-7-3 record from 21 starts with career earnings of $313,558.