Weep No More shocks the Big 3 in the Ashland

A three-horse race on paper, the Grade 1 Central Bank Ashland looked as such for much of the 1 1/16 miles Kentucky Oaks prep. That is until a 30-1 party crasher named Weep No More unleashed an explosive late move to run by all three and win by a neck.

Of the big three, it was Cathryn Sophia that the bettors preferred. Off her recent form in Florida, the daughter of Street Boss was made the strong 1-2 favorite in the field of five. Along with Carina Mia and Rachel’s Valentina, the big three in the betting dominated the race early. It was the third choice Carina Mia who forged to the early lead, with the top two favorites staying in close contact through early fractions of :24.18 and :47.24. Meanwhile, few paid attention to the filly who was so far back early that it would be easy to forget that she was even part of the race, but as we soon learned, that is where she needed to be.

The top three jockeyed for position into and through the far turn, and as they straightened out for the sprint to the wire, they lined-up three abreast. Cathryn Sophia was on the outside and looked to be moving best, with Rachel’s Valentina in between, and Carina Mia on the rail. The early leader was the first to throw in the towel, as the favorite stuck her head in front of the well-bred second choice. It briefly appeared as that is how the result would come out, but Weep No More was now motoring under Corey Lanerie, and already had made up a ton of ground.

Rachel’s Valentina proved a classy opponent to Cathryn Sophia, but less than 100 yards from the wire, the late running long shot was now a huge threat. After their race long competition, the two favorites had no answer for the flying Weep No More, and the big upset was completed.

Rachel’s Valentina, making her first start since running second to Songbird in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, was a game runner-up, out-finishing the heavy favorite, Cathryn Sophia. Previously undefeated, that one looked like a winner at the top of the stretch, but could not sustain her rally down the stretch, and was third best, while the early pace-setter, Carina Mia, also making her first start of the year, was a clear fourth.

A jubilant Lanerie handed out high fives in the winner’s circle, clearly relishing having knocked off the big names with the unheralded daughter of Mineshaft. “At the top of the lane, to be honest, I didn’t think I would get up,” remarked Lanerie. “I was rolling, I had a lot of horse, but with the short stretch, I was hoping to be third. Then about 70 yards from the wire, I was like, ‘C’mon baby – we can get it.’ She kept running and ran a huge race. Thanks to Rusty and them for the opportunity. What a great training job. He gave me all the confidence in the world, just to ride her, let her run her race and see what happens.”

Weep No More brought anything but tears to those who backed her today in the Ashland, lighting up the toteboard with a $62.20 win payoff, and on top of the second choice, Rachel’s Valentina, the 1-4 exacta brought a $205.60 windfall.

The final time over the fast Keeneland main track was 1:43.57. Weep No More, owned by Ashbrook Farm, and trained by Rusty Arnold, raised her career record to 4-3-0-0. A non-factor in her career debut last fall on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs, the pretty chestnut filly has now won three straight in 2016. Showing off her now patented late run each time, she won a maiden race in January at Tampa Bay Downs, and came back at that same oval to win going away in the Suncoast Stakes on February 13.

“I thought she’d be that far back,” said Arnold, "and I told her (my wife, Sarah) about the half-mile pole, ‘I think she can get up for third from here.’ She just kept going, and they backed up a little bit. It was nice for the (owner) Bromagens, and we’ve been pointing for this race for two months.”

Moving forward to the May 6 Kentucky Oaks, the winner announced herself as a filly with enough class to compete at the highest level, while none of the three favorites embarrassed themselves, especially Rachel’s Valentina. The only daughter of the great Rachel Alexandra, she has every right to improve second time off the layoff next month.