Spiced Perfection Prevails in Madison Stakes
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Spiced Perfection fights off Amy's Challenge to win the Madison at Keeneland
A trip from her Southern California base paid dividends April 6 for Spiced Perfection as she prevailed in a stretch duel to win the $300,000 Madison Stakes (G1) by a neck over a game Amy's Challenge at Keeneland.
Spiced Perfection also won the La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park, which, like the Madison, was contested at seven furlongs. Winning trainer Peter Miller is thrilled with the 4-year-old Smiling Tiger filly, who races for Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, and Peter Deutsch and entered off a close runner-up finish in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) Feb. 16 at Laurel Park.
"To win for these owners with this filly, it means a lot to me—and to win here at Keeneland," Miller said. "(It was a) great ride by Javier, and I'm happy for the whole team. She ran great, she deserved it. She's got a huge heart. She's not a big filly. She's not impressive to look at, but she's impressive to watch run.
"We're going to leave her here in Kentucky and give her a couple of easy weeks. Hopefully, we can run her in the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on Derby weekend."
Spiced Perfection and jockey Javier Castellano tracked Amy's Challenge as the latter worked her way toward the rail after starting from post 4. Those two cruised through a quarter-mile in :22.56 before opening on their other seven rivals through a half-mile in :45.53. It proved a two-horse race, with Spiced Perfection seizing the lead in midstretch and holding off a re-rally attempt by Amy's Challenge and jockey Alex Canchari.
Spiced Perfection completed the seven-furlong test in 1:23.49 on a fast track.
It marked a third straight day for Castellano with at least one stakes win at Keeneland. He took the opening day Palisades Turf Sprint Stakes aboard Bulletin and the April 5 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania Stakes (G3T) on Avie's Flatter. He also won three of the first six races Saturday at Keeneland.
"When this filly passed (Amy's Challenge), she thought, 'OK, I'm done.' I had to ride her a little hard to keep the rhythm," Castellano said. "I liked the way she did it. Very professional. Wonderful filly."
Spiced Perfection returned $11 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.20 to show. Amy's Challenge paid $4 and $3.20 for the minor awards. Late Night Pow Wow earned her first grade 1 placing by finishing third, paying $2.80 to show.
Champion female sprinter and favorite Shamrock Rose never threatened the top two and finished fifth.
Bred in California by Premier Thoroughbreds out of the Pleasantly Perfect mare Perfect Feat, Spiced Perfection was purchased by Michael Faber's Dare to Dream Stables from Checkmate Thoroughbreds' consignment to the 2017 Barretts March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Before the Barbara Fritchie, she was sold privately to her current owners.
The race was marred by the injury of G M B Racing's Cathedral Reader, who broke down near the quarter pole and was vanned off. Kentucky Horse Racing Commission chief veterinarian Dr. Bruce Howard said the filly was euthanized following the catastrophic injury to her right front leg.
"On what was an otherwise spectacular day, our celebration is tempered due to the catastrophic injury sustained by Cathedral Reader during the running of the Madison," Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason said in a statement. "We have spoken with Ms. Gayle Benson's Racing Manager, Greg Bensel, and trainer Dallas Stewart, expressing our sympathy for their loss.
"As is the law in Kentucky, the horse will be transported to the University of Kentucky Diagnostic Lab for a complete necropsy. Keeneland, in full cooperation with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, will perform a full investigation, which includes continued evaluation of race track surface conditions, forensic review of past race performances, veterinary records, and personal interviews with the jockey, trainer, and attending veterinarian.
"Keeneland has received nothing but positive feedback about the racing surface since it reopened in mid-March from the winter break. As is Keeneland's normal procedure, we will review and evaluate all facets of our racing operation to ensure the safest possible environment for the equine and human athletes participating in our racing program. For an overview of Keeneland's safety protocols and initiatives, visit Keeneland.com/safety."