Sister Nation closes strongly to win Ruling Angel
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Photo:
Michael Burns Photography
Sister Nation, who had placed in four stakes but whose only win was a last-out maiden victory, closed strongly down the center of the track for a going-away 1 ½ length tally here in Sunday’s Ruling Angel Stakes.
The $100,000 Ruling Angel, a 6 ½-furlong overnight stakes for 3-year-old fillies, attracted a field of six but was wide-open with five of the contestants going postward at less than 5-1.
Sister Nation was the longest of that group, at 4.65-1 and assumed a stalking position in fifth place under leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva.
“She broke sharp and she wanted to go a little bit forward but I relaxed her and she was a very kind horse,” said Da Silva. “We got lucky and ended up in the right position and I just took her outside.”
Way to Versailles, bet down to 2-1 as the perceived speed field of the Ruling Angel party, showed the way by an open length through fractions of :23.32 and :45.75 with The Craic, Just Be Kind, and Tulsa Queen in close attendance.
The action heated up around the final turn with the three pace-pressers launching simultaneous bids and the race was up for grabs turning for home.
Way to Versailles held on grimly to lead by a head with the four fillies abreast as they reached six furlongs in 1:09.91.
But DaSilva had Sister Nation going best of all on the outside and she drew off to take the cake in a final time of 1:16.34.
“When we turned for home I had a lot of horse and I knew I was going to go by the horses because she was running very relaxed and just waiting for the green light,” said DaSilva.
Just Be Kind (3.30-1), four wide throughout, prevailed in the battle for the place, ending a neck before Tulsa Queen (3.55-1) with The Craic (3.70-1) another half-length back in fourth, just a head before Way to Versailles.
Patton’s Girl, the rank outsider at 52-1, trailed throughout.
Sister Nation was the first stakes winner of the season for Mike DePaulo, who conditions the Kentucky-bred for Mark Dodson.
The winner paid $11.30, $5.10 and $2.60. She combined with Just Be Kind ($4.40, $3) for a 3-6 exacta worth $38.30. A $2 trifecta of 3-6-5 (Tulsa Queen, $2.70) paid $117.20 and a $1 superfecta of 3-6-5-2 (The Craic) returned $113.85.
Source: Woodbine Communications Office
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