Kimari Runs to Form in Bolton Landing Stakes for Ward
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Kimari takes the Bolton Landing by four lengths at Saratoga Race Course
Trainer Wesley Ward knows how to win with the right filly sprinting on the turf. And in the $100,000 Bolton Landing Stakes that filly was the 1-5 favorite, Kimari.
Taking on a field of five other 2-year-old fillies in the 5 1/2-furlong turf test Aug. 14, the Munnings filly brought overseas experience into the Bolton Landing the likes of which none of the other maiden winners had. Off a runner-up finish in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, Kimari charged home four lengths clear in the Saratoga Race Course feature Wednesday.
After leaving the gate in good order, three fillies vied for the lead with Kimari outside of Vast on the rail and Abscond between the two. The three raced fairly evenly for the first quarter-mile, but as the first two furlongs went in :21.55, Kimari opened up on the leaders.
Abscond put the pressure on, drawing even from the outside with Champagne Humor also coming three wide, but as the field turned down the stretch Kimari responded to John Velazquez' urging, switching leads and bolting away.
The final time for the distance was 1:01.43 on the firm Mellon turf course.
"She broke well and going to the eighth-pole she did it easy," Velazquez said. "The blinkers off today relaxed her a bit, which was helpful. She was very impressive today. In the lane, she just went on and finished strong. She came from a really tough race at Ascot and she was ready today. I stayed on top of her and she came running."
The winner returned $2.50 to win and $2.10 to place and show, while Abscond held for second, paying $3 and $2.50. Champagne Humor took third to return $3.50.
Racing for Ten Broeck Farm, Kimari broke her maiden at Keeneland in an April 25 debut, in which she smoked the field by 15 lengths. The filly, bred by China Horse Club International, is the first stakes winner for her dam, the Cozzene mare Cozze Up Lady, who won the Chicago Handicap (G3) on an all-weather surface and the Osunitas Stakes on grass.
"(Kimari) had been training real well. She showed us what we always had seen," said Ward's assistant trainer Ollie Sangster. "We were a bit disappointed to get beat at Ascot, but they had a lot of rain, which wasn't to her liking, but she still ran a big race. She showed us what she was made of today."