Minakshi Breaks Through in Canadian
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After knocking on the door in four stakes starts since her arrival from her native France, Minakshi secured the first stakes victory of her career Sunday, Sept. 15 in the $295,952 Canadian Stakes (gr. IIT) at Woodbine .
After racing sixth of nine through the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares, Minakshi delivered a sustained stretch rally to register a half-length score over runner-up Colonial Flag, who completed an exacta for trainer Michael Matz.
Minakshi started her career in France where the daughter of Footstepsinthesand won four of 13 starts and placed in a stakes at Chantilly racing for the Ehrnrooth family.
Moved to North America and the Ehrnrooth's Northern Bloodstock operation, she arrived in May and had registered placings without a win in the Owsley Stakes, Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. II), and Matchmaker Stakes (gr. III), where she finished third July 28 at Monmouth Park in her previous start. She also finished a close fourth in the New York Stakes (gr. II) June 29 at Belmont Park.
Minakshi returned $16.20 to win, $9 to place, and $6.50 to show. The Matz exacta returned $113.60 as Colonial Flag, who entered off a victory in the Rosenna Stakes Aug. 17 at Delaware Park, paid $10.10 to place and $6.40 to show. Regis Racing longshot Moment of Majesty returned $8.50 to show.
Early runner La Tia broke well and quickly opened a two-length lead but she was engaged by Ladys First along the rail as La Tia led through a quarter-mile in :23.53. Those two powered through a second quarter-mile in :23, for a half-mile time of :46.53, setting things up for the race's late runners.
Minakshi completed the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:44.05 on firm turf for jockey Luis Contreras.
Bred in France by Elevage Haras de Bourgeauville, Minakshi is out of the stakes-placed Machiavellian mare Maria de La Cruz, who also has produced Marble Garden.