Salty turns tables on Abel Tasman in Churchill Downs' La Troienne
Gary Barber, Baccari Racing Stable and Chester Prince’s Salty wore down a game, front-running Farrell to win the 33rd running of the $350,000 La Troienne Stakes presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade I) for fillies and mares by 1 ¾ lengths with 2017 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner Abel Tasman finishing fourth.
Trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Salty covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:43.78.
"She's just an extremely talented filly, as I've said a few times," Casse said. She's gotten unlucky before. "Today, everything worked out well for her. I think Tyler (Gaffalione) is an up-and-coming star, as does Gary Barber, so we've kind of stuck with Tyler and it's paid off, because he knows her so well. After his last race he was a little disappointed and he said 'We're going to win a Grade One' and I said 'I know we will,' and we have faith, and he rode a great race today.”
Farrell led the field of six through uncontested fractions of :24.70, :48.86 and 1:12.12. At the head of the stretch, Farrell shook off a challenge from Martini Glass and again spurted clear.
Gaffalione, who was winning his first Grade I race, took Salty down toward the rail and slowly wore Farrell.
“She really responded," said Gaffalione. "As soon as the spot opened up on the turn, I just put her there and she really exploded. I had to keep after her, but she was running. It is my first (Grade I win). I’m speechless. It’s very exciting, especially on this stage.”
The victory was worth $214,830 to $688,500 with a record of 11-4-2-2. It is the second graded-stakes win for Salty, who took the Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII) last year.
Salty is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Quality Road out of the Dixie Union mare Theycallmeladyluck.
Salty returned $10.40, $5 and $3.40. Farrell, with Channing Hill up, returned $11.40 and $5.60 with Martini Glass finishing third under Paco Lopez another 1 ¼ lengths back and paying $3 to show.
Abel Tasman finished another neck back in fourth and was followed in order by Tiger Moth and Streamline.