Big World takes them all the way in the Tempted
Opening Day at Aqueduct brought with it a pair of graded stakes races for the two-year-olds, the first of which was the Grade 3 Tempted Stakes, for fillies going a flat mile on the main track. Most of the money was on the recent maiden winner, Welcoming, but that 4-5 shot never was a factor in today’s co-feature. Instead, it was the Tony Dutrow trained, Big World, at 4-1 on the tote, who made the running from gate to wire in securing the first stakes win of her young career.
Having finished third against good horses in both of her first two starts, including to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up, Rachel’s Valentina, the Maggi Moss owned Big World arrived to the Tempted most recently off a fast maiden score at Saratoga in her third start. With two months off after the win, the daughter of Custom for Carlos was a fresh and ready filly for rider, Jose Ortiz. After a brief early advantage for Banree to her outside, Big World assumed command of the Tempted pace down the Big A backstretch.
With Banree in close pursuit, Big World rattled off early fractions of :24.05 and :47.85, while Ortiz held on with quiet hands. Reaching six in 1:12.48, Ortiz began to ask a little more from the leader, as the second favorite remained attached to her outside hip. Welcoming looked briefly to make a move on the far turn, but that quickly turned out to be no threat at all.
Big World, meanwhile, proved to have plenty left for the Tempted stretch run, and slowly but surely edged clear of her longtime pursuer. As Banree’s chances faded, it was the 10-1 Flora Dora who came finishing strongly on the outside. While the winner never looked in danger, the late running daughter of First Dude did get up for second, and just a half-length behind Big World on the wire.
"It was a little weird,” remarked Ortiz. “On paper, it looked like there was a little more speed in there, but my filly broke very well and I noticed it was going easy in front, so I took advantage of it. We went 24 [seconds for the first quarter-mile] and 47 and that's pretty good. When I asked her to go, she responded very well. I want to thank all the connections for the opportunity. She's pretty good."
Bred in Louisiana, by Curt Leake and Elm Tree Farm, Big World was a $98,000 yearling purchase at last August’s OBS Sale at Saratoga. With today’s graded stakes victory, she raised her record to 4-2-0-2, with career earnings of $185,600.
As the 4-1 third choice, Big World returned $10.40 for the win, while the $2 exacta over Flora Dora returned a healthy $65.50 in the the six-filly field. Final time for the eight furlongs over the fast main track was 1:37.19. Longshot Disco Rose completed the superfecta, while Welcoming and Hi Holiday finished fifth and sixth respectively.
"I didn't give [Jose Ortiz] any instructions at all,” said the winning trainer, Dutrow. I told him she's an easy ride and he would know what to do when the gates opened. I noticed the speed was looking at her and they were going soft, so he took advantage of it. I was very, very happy with the way she stretched out at Saratoga at seven-eighths of a mile against good company. Then, to come back today and stretch out to a mile, I have to be very happy with that."
Very happy indeed, and with the Tempted win under her belt, Big World could well come back to stretch out again for the nine furlong, Grade 2 Demoiselle on November 28.