Often Close, Ickymasho Looks for Victory in Bewitch

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Often Close, Ickymasho Looks for Victory in Bewitch
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Ickymasho (inside) just misses by a head to Santa Monica in the Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park

After finishing a close second in her past two starts, Ickymasho will look to secure what has proven to be an elusive stakes win when she starts April 26 in the $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.

After an extended career in mostly handicaps in Europe, Ickymasho made her North American debut in last year's edition of the Bewitch, where she opened a clear lead early before finishing third. Since that effort, the daughter of Multiplex has placed in five of seven starts without a victory.

In her two most recent efforts, Triton Stable's Ickymasho finished a head behind the winner in the March 2 The Very One Stakes (G3T) and the March 29 Orchid Stakes (G3T), both on the turf at Gulfstream Park for trainer Roger Attfield.

Attfield is looking for his fourth Bewitch victory. He won the 1 1/2-mile race for fillies and mares with Lady Shakespeare in 2010, Noble Stella in 2006, and Sweetest Thing in 2002. Eclipse Award winner Jose Ortiz, who was aboard in the The Very One, is scheduled to ride Friday.

Other top contenders in the expected field of 10 include Sunny Brook Stables' Flower Party, a group stakes winner in Italy; Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Sky Full of Stars, a group 2 winner in Germany; and Manganaro Bloodstock and West Point Thoroughbreds' Maroubra, who finished fourth in the Orchid in her United States debut.

The Bewitch is the featured race on Friday's 10-race card, closing day for the Lexington track's spring meeting.


Entries: Bewitch S. (G3T)

Keeneland, Friday, April 26, 2019, Race 9

  • Grade IIIT
  • 1 1/2m
  • Turf
  • $150,000
  • 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
  • 5:30 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Beach Flower (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate John R. Velazquez 118 McLean Robertson 6/1
2 2Sky Full of Stars (GER) Julien R. Leparoux 118 Christophe Clement 9/2
3 3Flower Party (IRE) Adam Beschizza 118 Michael Stidham 4/1
4 4Ickymasho (GB) Jose L. Ortiz 118 Roger L. Attfield 7/2
5 5Peru (GB) Luis Saez 118 Michael J. Maker 8/1
6 6Samuna (FR) Tyler Gaffalione 118 Jorge R. Abreu 15/1
7 7Maroubra (FR) Joel Rosario 118 Cherie DeVaux 5/1
8 8Gaining (GB) Florent Geroux 120 Brad H. Cox 8/1
9 9Coachwhip (KY) Tyler Baze 118 Jack Sisterson 15/1
10 10Dynabee (KY) Corey J. Lanerie 118 Jack Sisterson 20/1