A Raving Beauty Goes Gate-to-Wire in First Lady
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
A Raving Beauty returns under John Velazquez after winning the First Lady Stakes at Keeneland
A Raving Beauty returned to her winning ways Oct. 6, running gate-to-wire to take the $400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.
Plucked from the auction ring by Mandore International Agency at the 2017 Arqana December Breeding Stock sale for a modest $264,915, A Raving Beauty came to the United States well-versed in the challenges of the turf.
With 17 starts to her name in her native Germany, the daughter of Mastercraftsman had never finished worse than fifth. Prepped and ready for her stateside debut for Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables, the 5-year-old mare did not disappoint, taking the May 12 Beaugay Stakes (G3T) followed by the Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1T) June 9 at Belmont Park.
While expectations were high for the Chad Brown trainee heading into her next two starts, she came up just short in the July 21 Diana Stakes (G1T), finishing third, followed by another less-than-characteristic performance in the Aug. 25 Woodford Reserve Ballston Spa Stakes (G2), where she ran fourth behind stablemate Quidura.
But it would appear a trip to the Bluegrass proved to be just what the talented turf runner needed.
A Raving Beauty set the pace from the gate and settled just off the inside rail in the First Lady, followed closely by Valadorna. Clicking off fractions of :24.40, :49.11, and 1:13.76 through six furlongs, she maintained her half-length lead as the field turned for home.
Holding off a late challenge from a Dona Bruja, A Raving Beauty won by a head in a final time of 1:37.78.
"I thought it worked out pretty good," said winning jockey John Velazquez. "Obviously, being on the inside (from post 2), we wanted to be close and wanted to make sure she was settling. We came out running, got our position, and after that it was pretty good."
Indian Blessing, who was bumped at the start and pushed to the back of the pack, rallied in the lane to take third. Crown Walk, Valadorna, Insta Erma, Quidura, Off Limits, and One Liz completed the order of finish.
As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, A Raving Beauty secured an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. Bred in Germany by Gestut Karlshof out of the High Chapparal mare Anabasis, she improved her record to 6-3-3 from 22 starts, with $1,018,555 in earnings.
"It looks like backing up to a mile is what worked (after the 1 1/16-mile Ballston Spa at Saratoga)," said Whit Beckman, Brown's assistant. "She's been training consistently well, and we know she's a nice filly. There's ups and there's downs, and (it) looks like she found the right conditions today."