Dona Bruja Bids for More Churchill Success in Cardinal
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Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Dona Bruja wins the Modesty Handicap at Arlington International Racecourse by a length
Dom Felipe's Dona Bruja, winner of the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3T) on Churchill Downs' Matt Winn Turf Course in June, will seek her second stakes triumph over that surface when she breaks from an outside post against 11 rivals in the $100,000 Cardinal Handicap (G3T) Nov. 18.
Dona Bruja made her United States debut in the $100,000 Mint Julep Handicap in June and defeated a contentious field by 1 1/2-lengths. Following that victory, the 5-year-old daughter of Storm Embrujado (ARG) trained by Ignacio Correas IV, recorded a one-length score in the $100,000 Modesty Handicap (G3T) at Arlington International Racecourse in July.
The Argentine-bred was favored in the Aug. 12 $600,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G1T) but was the dead-heat runner-up along with Grand Jete behind Dacita. Dona Bruja has only finished off the board once in 14 career starts, a fourth-place finish in the Oct. 7 $400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.
Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has the riding assignment for Dona Bruja, who drew post 12 under the high weight of 122 pounds.
Chief among Dona Bruja's challengers is Rebecca Hillen's Beauly. The 4-year-old filly by Sea The Stars was most recently fourth in the $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G1T) Oct. 8 at Belmont Park. Beauly, trained by Brendan Walsh, drew post 7 with Churchill's leading rider Corey Lanerie to ride and was assigned 118 pounds.
Other major contenders in the Cardinal are a pair of Ian Wilkes trainees: Whitham Thoroughbreds' Linda, third in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes (G3T) and winner of last year's Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill; and Res Ipsa, a winner of consecutive allowance races including a most recent finish ahead of Linda. Brian Hernandez Jr. is scheduled to ride Linda from post 9, while Julien Leparoux has the call on Res Ipsa from post 11.
Other notables include Violet Stakes (G3T) winner Tricky Escape who drew post 2 with Chris DeCarlo; and Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint Stakes fourth-place finisher Fair Point, who is set to be ridden by Florida-based jockey Tyler Gaffalione from post 10.