Keeneland: Speed Shopper takes command late to win Bewitch
Favored Speed Shopper seized command in midstretch and cruised to a 1 1/4-length win in the 64th running of the $350,000 Bewitch (G3) on Friday, closing day of the spring meet.
The win was the third in the Bewitch for jockey John Velazquez, who also won aboard Lady Shakespeare in 2010 and Safari Queen in 2007. Velazquez won three of Keeneland’s 10 races Friday.
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Trained by Will Walden for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gary Barber and Bridlewood Farm, Speed Shopper is a 5-year-old mare by Quality Road out of the Malibu Moon mare Fast Retailing. The Keeneland sales graduate earned $211,575 today to increase her career earnings to $525,953 with four wins in 11 starts.
Speed Shopper, who covered 1 1/2 miles on a firm turf course in 2:29, paid $5.42, $3.28 and $2.70. Ridden by Jaime Torres, Golden Sunshine finished second and paid $14.42 and $6.48. Way to Be Marie finished 3 1/4 lengths behind in third and returned $3.54 under Luis Saez.
Literate was fourth and was followed in order by Mrs. Astor, Venencia, Triumphant Spirit and Virgin Colada.
“I was really worried because the last two times I rode her she was really keen behind the horses, and I covered up and she kind of comes back to me,” Velazquez said. “I was telling the guys in the paddock, I was a little worried about being all the way out there (in the outside post). I tell you what, it was the best this time. She broke (from the gate), my hands went down, her ears went up. She wasn’t even in the bridle, so I was able to come in behind horses little by little. By the time we were going the first time by the wire, I was right behind Tyler (Gaffalione on Venencia). I was really comfortable where I was. I felt she was pretty easy to ride. I just didn’t want to be in her mouth and (wanted to) settle behind the horses in front of me. After that, it was pretty easy.”
“(Jockey) Johnny (Velazquez) looked like he had plenty of horse,” Walden said. “He travels so relaxed, though, it’s sometimes hard to tell. When he moved his hands forward for the first time, I saw her jump forward, and coming toward the quarter pole when she swung out, I felt pretty confident at that point.”