Elektrum surges past Apple Betty to claim Dowager
Hronis Racing’s Elektrum (IRE) surged past Apple Betty (IRE) in the shadow of the wire to win the 25th running of the $125,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) for fillies and mares by a nose before a Sunday afternoon crowd of 15,784.
Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Elektrum covered the 1½ miles on a firm turf course in 2:33.08. It was the second victory in the race for Sadler, whose Black Mamba (NZ) won in 2009.
Van Dyke kept Elektrum next to the rail through the first mile as Robillard set the pace. Midway on the far turn, Elektrum briefly was shuffled back to last but entering the stretch Van Dyke had worked his way into the clear while still saving ground.
Apple Betty, making her U.S. debut, hit the front at the eighth pole where Elektrum angled to the outside and gradually wore down Apple Betty.
Elektrum is a 5-year-old daughter of High Chaparral (IRE) out of the Inchinor (GB) mare Carolines Secret. The $75,000 winner’s share boosted her earnings to $536,608 with a record of 24-5-6-5.
She is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect to the Nov. 8 opening session of Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale.
Favored in the field of 11, Elektrum returned $7, $4.60 and $3.60. Apple Betty, ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., returned $6.20 and $5.20 with Swear by It finishing third three lengths back under Corey Lanerie and returning $12 to show.
Freethinker was fourth another five lengths back and was followed in order by Daring Duchess, Paige, Oakley Girl (GB), Notte d’Oro, Robillard, Lots o’ Lex and Rachel Wall.
Racing resumes Wednesday with an eight-race program beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET to kick off the final four days of the 17-day Fall Meet that concludes Saturday.
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Sunday at Keeneland was Heroes Day Delivered by Papa John’s. All active-duty members of the military along with military veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and their families received free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating, and they enjoyed free food and children’s activities in the Family Zone.
Among the activities was the unfurling of an American flag on the track after the third race by the Henry Clay High School Junior ROTC accompanied by members of Lexington’s Police and Fire Departments. Click here for a video of the flag presentation.
In conjunction with Heroes Day, Papa John’s and Keeneland over the past three weeks have partnered in a fundraising offer to benefit Supporting Heroes, a Kentucky-based organization that honors the service and sacrifice of public safety heroes who give their lives in the line of duty by caring for the loved ones they leave behind. On Sunday afternoon, Supporting Heroes Executive Director Eric Johnson and Vice Chairman Michael Burns accepted a donation of $22,360.10 from Bill Thomason, President and CEO of Keeneland, and Lynn McQuillen and Hillary Simmons of Papa John’s.
Source: Keeneland Association