Frizette might be next for Lady Ivanka

Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables' Lady Ivanka was tired but in good order following her three-quarter length victory in the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway, trainer Rudy Rodriguez said Sunday morning.

The 2-year-old Oklahoma-bred ran down Maya Malibu in deep stretch to win the seven-furlong sprint, improving to 2-for-2 and automatically qualifying for the Grade 1, $2 million 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on November 4 at Del Mar. 

"We got lucky yesterday where the race unfolded like we expected," Rodriguez said. "I was a little concerned when we went a little wider because we've been teaching her to take more dirt behind her. The track was playing fair. It's not like a couple of weeks ago where it was all inside speed."

Lady Ivanka had been working at Belmont Park under the care of Rodriguez' brother and assistant Gus. The preparation paid off when the Tiz Wonderful filly posted an eight-length score in her debut at 5 ½ furlongs on August 9 at the Spa.

Rudy Rodriguez said he thought Lady Ivanka had the potential to be special but wanted to downplay expectations. The result was Rodriguez winning his second Spinaway, joining Condo Commando in 2014. It was also his first Grade 1 win since Dads Caps won the 2015 Carter Handicap.

"She showed us a lot of talent from the beginning," Rodriguez said of Lady Ivanka. "My brother Gus trained her at Belmont and the first time we ran her, he was excited. It's a lot easier to keep it quiet and let the horse do it, because if you're expecting a lot and they don't get results, then everything falls apart for the owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, hot walkers; it's tough. So, we tried to take it as it comes. But my brother did pretty much all the work, I'm just here to run her. 

"She was coming up to the race very, very good. It was nice and easy and she was just looking to race. She came up tired after but you expect that. They went fast in front. When she made a big run, we were close enough to get it. We're very proud of her."

Rodriguez said Lady Ivanka will ship back to Belmont soon. Her next spot is not determined, though the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette on October 8 remains a possibility.