Bensalem, Pa.– Stonestreet Stables Clairiere proved too tough to contend with for the field of seven other 3-year-old fillies after she closed strong to draw off under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., to win the Grade, 1, $1 million Cotillion at Parx by 2 ½ lengths in 1:44.31 for the 1 1/16 miles.
The Kentucky-bred filly by Curlin was making her seventh start of the year for Hall of Fame Trainer Steve Asmussen and earned her first Grade 1 victory and second win on the year after winning her first start as a 3-year-old in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds.
“She was away from the gate good, and was carrying really, really well,” Asmussen said. “I can’t tell you what it means for Clairiere and Stonestreet and that family that she comes from. She was carrying along nicely withing herself within striking range.”
Clairiere remained at the back of the pack while Always Carina and Obligatory battled respectively with Army Wife keeping watch in third amid fractions of 24.92 for the first quarter and 49.67 for the half-mile. Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. began to urge Clairiere through the final turn, and after three-quarters of a mile was run in 1:13.87, she began to take charge before gaining the lead at nearing the eighth pole drawing away to victory.
Jockey Ricardo Santana hoists flowers from the Cotillion Blanket into the air after riding Clairiere to the win. Photo By Bill Denver /EQUI-PHOTO
Obligatory finished second one half-length over Army Wife who held third by a neck over Maracuja in fourth. Rounding out the finish was: Always Carina, Leader of the Band, Will’s Secret and Allworthy.
Juddmote’s Obligatory was making her return off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Test at Saratoga and ran a game second under jockey Jose Ortiz for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.
“She was running at a faster pace,” Ortiz said. “The last couple of times, she had been backing up on me going into the turn a little bit. I warmed her up good today and I hustled her from the gate going into the first turn. She put me much more forward. I was happy to see that. She was good today, and we were second best. I’ve got no excuses.”
Clairiere was making her third straight Grade 1 start after she added a second-place finish in the in the Alabama after finishing third in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. Her next start will be determined soon according to Asmussen.
“She’s kept herself in great company all year and getting good when it matters most,” Asmussen said. “Obviously, we’re going to speak to Stonestreet (Stable) and stuff, but with the numbers she’s got she’s consistently getting faster at the right time.”
Clairiere’s victory gave Asmussen his fourth Cotillion win after he saddled past winners My Miss Aurelia (2012), Untapable (2014) and Midnight Bisou (2018).
Clairiere was sent off at odds of 5 to 2 and paid $7.20 to win.
By Anthony Affrunti/Parx Press Office
Photo: Clairiere #6 with Ricardo Santana riding won the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes.. Photo By Joe Labozzetta/EQUI-PHOTO
