Winter Memories Sensational in Garden City
Trapped behind a wall of horses in
midstretch, Winter Memories unleashed a breathtaking last-to-first run
on the far outside through the final yards to nab Theyskens' Theory at
the wire in Saturday's Grade 1, $250,000 Garden City at Belmont Park.
Although
forwardly placed behind More Than Real through an opening quarter-mile
in 26.40 seconds over the firm turf, Winter Memories was soon shuffled
back to last as the field of eight 3-year-old fillies traveled down the
backside through a half in 51.60 and three-quarters in 1:16.12. Offered
no opportunity to go inside or split rivals once straightened for home,
jockey Javier Castellano had to wait until well inside the eighth pole
to angle the lanky gray filly to the outside. Once clear, she took off
like a rocket without being asked and inhaled the field in a matter of
strides, hitting the wire a neck in front.
"I didn't
think she had a chance," said a breathless Jimmy Toner, who trains the
daughter of El Prado for the Phillips Racing Partnership. "I can't
believe the way she accelerated and exploded, in three strides.
Phenomenal. Javier said to me, 'I knew she was going to win.' I said,
'I'm glad you did!'"
Winter Memories' time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:51.06 as she picked up her first Grade 1 victory.
"When
everybody started to move, I had a chance to move her aside and let her
find her kick," said Castellano, racing aboard Winter Memories for the
first time. "She has a wonderful kick, and I think that's what my best
advantage is. When I asked her, she took off. I'm very blessed to ride
this filly; she's one of the best fillies in the country."
Sent
off as the even-money favorite, Winter Memories returned $4.20 for a $2
win bet and earned $150,000 to increase her bankroll to $698,100. The
Garden City was her fourth win in five starts this year, all in graded
stakes, and avenged a stunning defeat last time out when fourth after a
troubled trip in the Grade 2 Lake Placid at Saratoga Race Course.
"When
they turned for home, she just was not going to be able to go anywhere
and then he finally did get the break to slide to the outside and that
was it," said Winter Memories' owner and breeder John Phillips of the
Phillips Racing Partnership. "It's hard to believe that there was a
little more gas left in the tank, but I think there was."
Theyskens'
Theory, who traveled from Great Britain and who will remain in the
United States, was 1 ½ lengths clear of More Than Real.
"She
ran a big race, so we're pleased," said Brian Meehan, trainer of the
runner-up. "It was all good. You have to draw positives like that. It
looked like she was the winner 100 yards out, but the favorite got
stopped on the straight and got a sweet run on the outside."
Completing the order of finish were Hungry Island, Arch Support, Salary Drive, Pinch Pie, and Kathmanblu.
Next
up for Winter Memories will be the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge
Cup at Keeneland Race Course on October 15, said Toner, as she wraps up
a 2011 campaign that includes victories in the Grade 3 Appalachian, the
Grade 2 Sands Point, and the Grade 2 Lake George.
"We're back on track, back in the game," he said.