La Coronel Splashes to Edgewood Win Over Dream Dancing

La Coronel, who was cross-entered in the American Turf Stakes (G2T) against the boys May 6, instead ran in the May 5 Edgewood Stakes (G3T) against her 3-year-old filly peers, and swept to the front late to score a half-length decision against her entry-mate Dream Dancing. 

John Oxley's two-horse entry relished the "good" turf course at Churchill Downs, with La Coronel running on an off track for the first time and completing the 8 1/2 furlongs in 1:45.56 in the $150,000 Edgewood. Mark Casse trains the top two finishers, and the Casse/Oxley team hopes their victory here is a good omen for the Run for the Roses, when they pin their hopes on 2-year-old male champion and morning line favorite Classic Empire.

After breaking in a beautiful line, the Edgewood field sorted themselves out as Stallion Heiress grabbed the early lead from Sweeping Paddy, with India Mantuana and Youngest Daughter in close attendance. After an opening quarter-mile in :23.75 there was no change in the order as they hit the backstretch and passed a half-mile in :48.68.

La Coronel was mid-pack under Florent Geroux on the second turn but remained clear on the outside in what was the best part of the turf course. Stallion Heiress gave up the hunt on the turn and Sweeping Paddy, down near the rail, opened up down the lane. Dream Dancing, in tight, found a seam and came flying on Sweeping Paddy's outside, but La Coronel, under vigorous right-handed urging, was shooting down the middle of the course and hit the wire with all the momentum. Dream Dancing had three lengths on Sweeping Paddy, with Proctor's Ledge along for fourth.

La Coronel was bred in Kentucky by Kim Nardelli, Rodney Nardelli, Susan Bunning, and A. & B. Jaffreys. She is a daughter of Colonel John out of the Chester House mare Listen.

La Coronel and Dream Dancing returned $4.00, $4.40, and $3.60, while Sweeping Paddy was good for $10.60 to show. The $2 exacta was worth $71.40.

La Coronel picked up her fourth win in eight tries for earnings better than $350,000. The Edgewood was her third grade 3 score, along with the Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association (G3T) last month and the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (G3T) last fall, both at Keeneland.

Casse stated he plans to take La Coronel to Royal Ascot later this spring.