Monomoy Girl adds another Grade 1 win to glowing resume in La Troienne
Monomoy Girl tallied another Grade 1 win in her Hall of Fame-caliber career on Friday when cruising to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $500,000 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs.
After being caught four wide on the first turn, Monomoy Girl and regular rider Florent Geroux rated well off the rail in third down the backstretch as longshot Lady Kate ushered the field through fractions of :23.43 and :46.26 for the opening half mile while being pressed by Risky Mandate.
Monomoy Girl commenced her bid at the leaders on the second turn, ranged up to Lady Kate at the top of the stretch and then edged clear of that stubborn foe to earn the sixth Grade 1 win of her career. Lady Kate held second and was followed across the wire by Horologist and Saracosa.
“There was a little bit of congestion going into the first turn, but I had a nice outside post. I was never worried," Geroux said. "I was on the best horse and we had a great trip. I just had to push the button when she was ready.”
Monomoy Girl just missed the stakes record while completing 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.14. She paid $2.80. With the win, the 2018 Kentucky Oaks winner and champion 3-year-old filly trained by Brad Cox ups her career record to 14: 12-2-0 with more than $3,386,818 in earnings.
The only time Monomoy Girl has not crossed the wire first came back in the 2017 Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs as a 2-year-old. In the 2018 Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx, Monomoy Girl was DQ'd from first to second for drifting out in the stretch.
Monomoy Girl's Eclipse Award was earned in 2018 following wins in the Rachel Alexandra (G2), Ashland (G1), Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and the Breeders' Cup Distaff. She was forced to miss the entire 2019 campaign due to injury and a bout with colic.
Monomoy Girl is owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables.
“She’s the only horse I get nervous running," Cox said of Monomoy Girl. "Once I leg up Florent (Geroux) it’s 10 minutes of anxiety. He did have to work on her a little bit to clear off from Lady Kate. She’s a true champion and is able to overcome a four-wide trip into the first turn. She’s the horse of a lifetime.”