Botanical with Chris Landeros in the irons scores her third consecutive win and first stakes in the Cincinnati Trophy (Coady Photography)
Past The Wire Staff
FLORENCE, Ky.— LNJ Foxwoods and Clearsky Farms’ Botanical drew clear to a 6 1/2 length victory under Chris Landeros in the $150,000 Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park. The race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks and earned the winner 20 qualifying points.
Breaking first, B G Warrior under David Haldar set quick fractions of :22.95, :45.69, 1:10.75 and 1:23.96 through seven furlongs. Landeros settled Botanical in at third as B G Warrior open up on the field by as many as 5 1/2 lengths after Haldar’s saddled slipped forward. They held the lead through the 3/4 pole while Moon Magic piloted by Rogelio Miranda kept chase.
Botanical stalked the leaders and began to make her move as the leaders began to tire and Landeros let loose in the straight taking the lead.
Ahead by a head at the straight Botanical gave an exploding kick and left the field in the dust at the 1/8th pole on the all-weather track.
Moon Magic faded to last with B G Warrior taking third place earning 6 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Jill Jitterbug under Emmanuel Esquivel rallied from fifth to place second and earned 8 points. Bulsara was fourth, earning 4 points, with Miss Peabody fifth followed by Fun and Feisty.
“She’s a very talented filly,” Landeros said. “When I saw B G Warrior go out to the lead like that, I just let (Botanical) settle. I had a ton of horse beneath me and had all the confidence in the world in her. I can’t wait to see where she goes next. She’s got a very bright future.”
Botanical paid $3.90, 3.00 and 2.76 while Jill Jitterbug gave punters a hefty $11.74 for place and 5.30 for show. B G Warrior paid $5.08 for show.
Trained by Brad Cox, Botanical is two-for-two in her 3-year-old campaign and has three wins and a second place from five career starts. It was her third consecutive win and first stakes.
Cox had also won the Black Gold Stakes at the Fair Grounds with Wonderful Justice (GB) on Saturday.
Botanical was bred by Clearsky Farms & Godolphin. The bay filly is by Medaglia d’Oro out Blame mare Daisy.
Racing will resume from Turfway Park on Thursday for an eight-race card. First post is 5:55 p.m. ET
On Saturday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved Turfway Park to race Wednesday, March 15 to make up the cancellation from Friday due to high winds.
