Coachwhip Makes the Grade in Arlington Matron Stakes
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Photo: Coady Photography
Coachwhip earns her first stakes victory in the Arlington Matron Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse
Making her first start on an all-weather track, Coachwhip shot by pace-setting Daddy's Boo turning for home and ran on to win the $100,000 Arlington Matron Stakes (G3) June 1 at Arlington International Racecourse by 3 1/2 lengths.
Coachwhip finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.80 under Tyler Baze. Strawberry Tequila was second, followed by Na Pali Spirit in third.
Four scratches, including California-based La Force, cut the field for the Matron to six.
Coachwhip, a 5-year-old Calumet Farm homebred by So You Think out of the Linamix mare Restless Rixa, scored her first stakes victory. She shipped in from Keeneland, where she has trained under Jack Sisterson since finishing third in the Bewitch Stakes (G3T) April 26.
She spent the winter in New Orleans and finished sixth in the March 23 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots before heading north.
In the Matron, Baze kept Coachwhip just off the right flank of Daddy's Boo, who finished second in the 2018 Matron. After Coachwhip got a breather nearing the end of the backstretch, Baze set her down for the drive and easily took the lead at the top of the stretch.
"I had all the confidence in the world in Tyler Baze," Sisterton said. "He got to know her in the Bewitch, and he is one of the hardest-working people I know. All credit to Tyler. He got her to relax."
Sisterton said Calumet will be back at Arlington for turf stakes during the summer, although the composition of the raiding parties has yet to be determined.
As for Coachwhip, he said, "She's such a hard-trying filly. She'll tell us when she's ready to run back."
Coachwhip has a 4-3-4 record from 15 starts and earnings of $181,230.