Majestic River breaks through in Molly Pitcher
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Full of talent from the start, Majestic River broke her maiden at first asking in a one mile event at Gulfstream. A poor effort in the Sunland Park Oaks sent her to the sidelines for nearly a year, but as a four-year old, she has been nearly flawless. Brought back slowly by trainer Todd Pletcher, the only blight on the filly’s résumé this year was a 4th place finish at Gulfstream. She particularly took a liking to Monmouth, winning two preps over the track before showing the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher field her heels and keeping her record at Monmouth perfect.
Up near the lead and closely pressing Natalie Victoria through the early stages of the race, Majestic River aboard hounded that rival through average splits. Together, the duo put up the opening quarter in 24:25 and clocked the half in 47:72. Right in behind them, Montana Native, Triple Arch and Zucchini Flower chased the early leaders while Lucky Rag Doll and Made Up trailed the field.
On the far turn, Majestic River took over the lead and kicked for home at the top of the lane with a comfortable advantage. With Joe Bravo aboard, Montana Native was set down for the stretch drive, but despite her best efforts, she could not make any headway against the leader. Majestic River cruised under the wire clear by 2 ½ lengths, stopping the clock for the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:43.11.
“The race played out perfect,” said winning jockey Rosie Napravnik. “I got a great setup and she ran awesome. I had plenty of horse in the stretch.”
Montana Native finished ¾-length ahead of third place finisher Lucky Rag Doll, who made a run from the back of the field to steal third from Zucchini Flower. The order of finish was completed by Triple Arch, Made Up and post time favorite Natalie Victoria, who set the early pace before tiring and being eased.
Anthony Sciametta, assistant trainer to Todd Pletcher, was not surprised by Majestic River’s dominant victory. “She was a little more rank than we thought she would be, but when the speed inside scratched we told [jockey] Rosie [Napravnik] we’d have one horse to track [Natalie Victoria]. We told Rosie, ‘When it’s time to go, just go.’ [Majestic River] is right right now; she’s on the improve, she’s been training well. So I’m not totally surprised [at the margin of victory].”
Sent off at 9-2 odds, Majestic River returned $11.80/$5.20/$3.60. Montana Native paid $4.60/$3.60, and Lucky Rag Doll was worth $8.40 for the show off 33-1 odds. The $2 exacta paid $53.40, the $1 trifecta returned $397.50 and the $1 superfecta was worth $1616.10.
By A. P. Indy, who has since been pensioned, and out of the Alphabet Soup mare Tempus Fugit, Majestic River improved her career record to 8: 5-1-0 for total purse earnings of $253,138. Though the Molly Pitcher was her first graded stakes score, Majestic River earned black type in her last start when she won the Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth by 2 lengths. The nicely bred filly was purchased by George Bolton for $425,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga 2011 Select Yearling Sale. She is owned in partnership by Bolton, Barry Lipman and Natrona Racing Stable LLC. Plans for the filly’s next start have not yet been made.
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