Don’t Tell Sophia Storms to Spinster Victory

Don't Tell Sophia went from last to first to win the Spinster Stakes. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
Don’t Tell Sophia went off as the second shot on the board on Sunday in the Spinster Stakes and came home a winner after surviving an objection.
Don’t Tell Sophia trailed the field for most of the race, comfortably sitting more than seven lengths off leader Close Hatches during the first three calls. But around the far turn, Don’t Tell Sophia kicked it into gear and passed the first horse in front of her. By the time the field straightened out, Don’t Tell Sophia was in third and chasing down Ria Antonia, who had taken the lead in the stretch. Don’t Tell Sophia grabbed the lead from Ria Antonia In the final furlong and pulled away to win by 2 ½ lengths. But her win wasn’t immediately secure as Ria Antonia’s jockey Paco Lopez lodged an objection for interference. However, after the stewards reviewed the footage the objection was disallowed and Don’t Tell Sophia, ridden by Joe Rocco Jr., was declared the winner.
Don’t Tell Sophia went off at 5.70-to-1 and paid out $13.40 for a $2 win ticket. Ria Antonia finished second and Molly Morgan finished third. Race favorite Close Hatches finished fourth, 7 ¼ lengths behind Don’t Tell Sophia.
“We knew she’d make a run at the three-eighths (pole) and just hoped she’d have enough to run them down. She did,” said co-owner and trainer Philip Sims. “She’s tough as nails. She shows up every time. We’re so delighted with her.”
Don’t Tell Sophia, who was sold for only $1,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September Sale, has earned nearly $1 million during her career. The 6-year-old mare hasn’t finished off the board in a race since an Oct. 2012 allowance at Keeneland with eight wins in 13 starts since that race. The mare is likely to make her next start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff after earning a spot in that race due to the Spinster’s Win and You’re In status. Don’t Tell Sophia is only Sims second career grade 1 winner. She is also co-owned by Jerry Namy.
Lawn Ranger lived up to his name when the 2-year-old son of U S Ranger pulled off a ½ length victory in the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes on turf. The colt sat behind Thirtysilverpieces and Less Than Perfect before taking command in the stretch and beating Danny Boy to the wire.
LAWN RANGER IS LED INTO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE AFTRER WINNING THE BOURBON

“I felt like he needed to go to another level,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “His race at Kentucky Downs (a 3¾-length maiden victory Sept. 13) was a pleasant surprise. He seems like a horse that’s maturing, and I think he’s gonna be even better as a 3-year-old. Our fingers are crossed that will happen.”
Lawn Ranger, ridden by Chris Landeros, is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf after earning his spot in this Win and You’re In race.
For Equibase charts, click here.