Ageless beats Lady Shipman at Keeneland
The Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes, a 5 ½-furlong sprint on the Keeneland turf course, became important in 2015 because the field contained two mares that are likely contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Lady Shipman, the winner of seven of eight turf sprints and four in a row, and Ageless, another very sharp grass specialist, battled down to the wire. Ageless was able to prevail at the wire by a head with the help of what appeared to be rider error by the jockey of Lady Shipman.
Lady Shipman, who was sent off as the 3-5 betting favorite, went right after the early lead while battling with Richie’s Sweetheart. The two of them opened up a four-length margin over the next two runners. While the first quarter mile went in 21.56, Ageless sat in fifth position 6 ½-lengths behind the leaders.
Heading to the half-mile, Lady Shipman was able to dispatch Richie’s Sweetheart and appeared to be on her way to an easy victory. The first four furlongs went in 44.78 and while the rest of the field was fading Julien Leparoux was moving with Ageless. Ageless, who was wearing the silks of Lael Stable made famous by Barbaro, was gobbling ground and was switched to the inside by Leparoux.
In the meantime, Lady Shipman was bearing out down the stretch. Jockey Eduardo Nunez, who had ridden the daughter of Midshipman in all but her most recent start at Saratoga, began to straighten her out. Sensing the move of Ageless, Nunez started to use a right-handed whip for a few of her strides, before he appeared to put the stick away. Right then, Ageless got even and Nunez tired to get back after Lady Shipman, but it was too late.
After the race Nunez said, “No, no. She [Lady Shipman] did not see the horse (coming).”
Leparoux, the winning rider said, “We ran the filly like we usually do. We knew (Lady Shipman) was the one to catch. I’m glad we could do it today. At one point I was (thinking) it’s going to be tough to beat (Lady Shipman), but she’s a very good filly and she made up for it.”
Ageless, who was the 2.80-1 second choice, won for the 11th time in her 22nd race career. The $60,000 winner’s share of the purse pushed this daughter of Successful Appeal’s total earnings to $713,130. She paid $7.60, 3.00, and 2.20 and the $2 exacta with the two favorites paid $15.20.