Paola Queen springs 55-1 Test upset!
Sitting off a torrid pace, Paola Queen, with Luis Saez aboard, ground out a last minute victory at 55-1 odds in the 7 furlong $500,000 Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.
Kareena won the break with Off the Tracks quickly moving up to her outside, and together those two went on with it on the lead. Lewis Bay and Paola Queen tucked right in behind those two. Kinsley Kisses came next, followed by Lightstream, and the early trailer was One True Kiss.
Racing nearly in tandem, Kareena and Off the Tracks reeled off splits of :21.71 and :43.50 for the opening half mile. Heading into the far turn, Off the Tracks pulled even with Kareena and then poked a nose in front. Lewis Bay quickly joined the embattled duo to make it three across the track.
Off the turn, Kareena gave way while Off the Tracks continued strongly on the lead. Behind her, Lightstream split horses and loomed large as she steadily cut into Off the Tracks's lead. Down the center of the track, Luis Saez was earning his paycheck aboard Paola Queen, scrubbing hard on his filly to keep her best stride going.
Mere lengths from the wire, Lightstream got her nose in front of Off the Tracks to very briefly gain the lead. Victory would not go to her, however, as Paola Queen's motor was now running strongly. With a final surge to the outside, Paola Queen passed both rivals to win by an increasing length.
Winning jockey Luis Saez said afterwards, "She [Paola Queen] ran very good. I worked her a couple of times and she was doing awesome. Today she proved that she is a good filly."
As the race was unfolding I checked behind and no one was coming," Saez continued. "I saw Joel [Rosario, aboard Lightstream] coming inside and I started to ride her harder and she responded to me."
Joel Rosario, who was aboard runner-up Lightstream, was in complete agreement with fellow rider Saez. "I think she [Lightstream] ran great. For a second, I thought I had won the race but that horse [Paola Queen] came out of nowhere. The winner ran a very good race, it was a very good finish. I was happy with her trip, and the way she [Lightstream] did it."
Lightstream saved second with Off the Tracks third, both fillies gallant in defeat after running winning races. Lewis Bay rounded out the superfecta. One True Kiss, Kareena, and Kinsley Kisses completed the order of finish. Malibu Stacy was a race day scratch.
As the longest shot on the board, Paola Queen paid $112.00, $31.40, and $9.50. Fourth betting choice Lightstream returned $5.50 and $3.90, and second betting choice Off the Tracks returned $3.00. The $2 exacta paid $579.00, the $2 trifecta returned $1,682.00, and the $2 superfecta was worth a whopping $5,251.00.
By Flatter and out of the Kafwain mare Kadira, Paola Queen was bred by CFP Thoroughbreds LLC. Owners Grupo Seven C Stable picked her up for $180,000 out of the Keeneland 2014 September Yearling Sale. Prior to today's shocking victory, Paola Queen had only a maiden win to her name out of 7 career starts but was grade 2 placed by virtue of her runner-up finish in the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
Winning trainer Gustavo Delgado was understandably emotional after his filly's thrilling upset. "I'm a grown man, and I cry. Thank you very much, I love all of Venezuela. This is a very important race for me. I'm very happy," he stated. "The [fast] pace was very important for us. I'm happy, everybody is happy. This is my first Grade 1 [in the United States]."