Cristina's Journey Dominates Pocahontas
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Cristina’s Journey remained perfect in two starts with a dominant gate-to-wire victory by 2 ¼ lengths over
Pangburn in
Saturday’s 46
th
running of the $231,000 Pocahontas (Grade II) for 2-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Miguel Mena, Cristina’s Journey, owned by Tim Newcomer’s GSN Stable, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.37 on a fast track and gave trainer Dale Romans, a Louisville
native, his 40th Churchill Downs stakes win.
Cristina’s
Journey opened a clear lead from the start and dictated the pace
through fractions of :24.19, :48.63, 1:13.91 and 1:39.83. She was
collared by True to You at the half mile marker,
but she repulsed the challenge and shook clear down the stretch for the convincing win.
Cristina’s Journey, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Any Given Saturday
out of the Dixie Union mare, banked $136,059 for the win. Additionally,
the Pocahontas is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re
In” Challenge Series, which means Cristina’s Journey has secured a
starting spot and $10,000 travel stipend to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.
Cristina’s
Journey also is the early points-leader on the Road to the Kentucky
Oaks after collecting 10 points. The Pocahontas was the first of 31
qualifying races to the $1 million Longines Kentucky
Oaks (GI) to be run next May, and points were awarded to the Top 4
finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale.
Cristina’s
Journey paid $9, $5.20 and $4 as the 7-2 second betting choice.
Pangburn returned $6 and $4.80. Milehighbutterfly was another 2 ½
lengths back in third and paid $15. The strung-out field
was completed by Loom, 3-2 favorite Take Charge Brandi, True to You,
Phoenix Park, Frolic to the Wire, Queen’s Ready and Rachel’s Ready.
Cristina’s Journey entered the Pocahontas off a 4 ¼-length debut win over six furlongs at Ellis Park on July 27. The $37,000 yearling purchase exits a Grade II winner.
Source: Churchill Downs
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