Indulgent picks up first stakes win in Go for Wand Handicap

By Christine Oser 

Indulgent, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Frosted, overcame 12-1 odds to win the $200,000 Grade 3 Go for Wand Handicap Saturday at Aqueduct and picked up her first stakes victory along the way.

The 4-year-old filly by Bernardini and out of Fast Cookie is a homebred for Godolphin Racing, LLC. Also, as with Frosted, she's trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

“It's very special. As I'm sure everybody figured out quickly, she has a more famous older brother,” said Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin USA, “and to have that filly and the family continue on with her being a graded stakes winner makes a big difference.”

Ridden by Luis Saez, Indulgent broke from the outside in a field of seven and stuck wide of pace-setting Lucy N Ethel. Last year’s winner, Highway Star, and Verve’s Tale, winner of the Grade 3 Comely Stakes just over a year ago, were also close in contention. Flora Dora, Jamyson ‘n Ginger and Going for Broke rounded out the field.

Lucy N Ethel opened the first half-mile in comfortable fractions of :23.52 and :46.82 while Saez held Indulgent back in second. The pair began to make their move in the final turn, and by the time three-quarters of a mile went in 1:11.43, Indulgent had her head in front. Lucy N Ethel ran out of steam, but Highway Star and Verve’s Tale were gaining ground. Jockey Angel Arroyo had to correct Highway Star from drifting out in the stretch, giving Indulgent more of an advantage than she already had.

Saez guided his mount to a one-length win and finished the mile in 1:37.75. Highway Star was able to get up for second, with Verve’s Tale third. Going for Broke, Lucy N Ethel, Flora Dora and Jamyson ‘n Ginger completed the order of finish.

“Last time she ran so hard, [but] the only issue was the rail,” said Saez. “Last time, the rail was heavy and she broke from the inside and we couldn't get out and that hurt a little bit. Today, she got an outside post and she broke pretty well. We came to the stretch, I asked her and she took off.”

Run on the Grade 1 Cigar Mile's undercard, the Go for Wand improved Indulgent’s career stats to 4-3-1 in 12 starts, sending her earnings up to $342,117.

“To put a graded victory under her name is very, very important,” Bell added. “It's great for Sheik Mohammad's breeding to carry on this great family that's been so good to us with Frosted, obviously, Midshipman and some others. This should make her a very welcome addition to the breeding operation.

“I think we'll just take this a step at a time. I don't know if this is her last race, but this is her most important race.”