Miss Temple City beats the boys in the Shadwell Turf Mile

Miss Temple City likes to beat the boys. She did it in a Grade 1 at Keeneland this spring, and yesterday she repeated the feat. This time against a much deeper field of tough male milers, by holding off a late charge from Ironicus in the $1 million Shadwell Turf Mile by a head. As a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’, the biggest victory of her career earned the daughter of Temple City a fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile on November 5.

Owned by The Club Racing, Allen Rosenblum, and Sagamore Farm, and trained by Graham Motion, Miss Temple City was sent off as the 7-1 fourth choice in the deep field of 11. Hustled out of the gate by rider Edgar Prado, she found a prominent position going into the first turn just behind longshot Pleuven. With the favorites, Ironicus and Mondialiste well off the early pace, the forward early position of Miss Temple City would prove crucial in the ultimate result.

While Pleuven set leisurely early fractions of :24.39, :49.18 and 1:13.47, the lone female in the field sat in the catbird seat stalking from second. Primed to pounce, Miss Temple City always looked strong over a turf course she clearly appreciates.

The classy filly grabbed command from the early leader by the eighth pole, and braced herself from the challenge of the late runners. Her old rival Tourist loomed, but was not going to get her again today. Only a spirited rally from the slight favorite, out in the middle of the track, made her lead vulnerable. Ironicus would try hard, but Miss Temple City had enough left to seal the deal. Tourist was another a half-length back, and a length ahead of the Arlington Million hero, Mondialiste.

After a heady winning ride, his third victory in the rich race, Prado explained what he needed to do on his new mount. “I’ve studied her races over and over,” said Prado. “Seems like the real key is just getting her to relax. There wasn’t much speed in the race and she was very comfortable most of the race. I saw that horse (fast-closing Ironicus) coming and I was glad the wire was there.”

In winning, Miss Temple City became the first filly to win the Shadwell Turf Mile. She also joined two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan as the only other horse to win both of Keeneland’s Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile and Shadwell Turf Mile in the same year. After three tough losses at first Royal Ascot, and then twice at Saratoga, the winning trainer was thrilled to see his turf star back in the winner’s circle.

“She’s the best filly I’ve ever trained,” raved Motion. “She’s spectacular. My frustration was over the summer when it seemed we got a little lost with her. She had some tough trips. I’m glad the crew talked me into running her here today. I think I would have chosen to go the other way (and run her in the Grade 1 First Lady two races earlier). But this was the right thing to do; we took a shot. She’s a very special filly. I think she’s been on form all summer. It’s just been frustrating that she hasn’t been able to show it on the race track.”

Miss Temple City completed the flat mile over the firm Keeneland turf in 1:37.04. She raised her record to 14-5-3-2, while lifting earnings to $1,213,038, which was nearly doubled with the winner’s check.

With many horses for the bettors to like in the Shadwell Turf Mile, Miss Temple City paid a healthy $17.40, $8.20 and $5.40 across the board. The exacta over Ironicus, who was ridden by Jose Ortiz, returned $90.40, while the 7-8-10 trifecta completed by Tourist, was good for $457.80