LEXINGTON, Ky.—Peter Brant’s In Italian (GB) led all the way to win the 25th running of the $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare for fillies and mares, prevailing by a length over her favored stablemate, Regal Glory.
Trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Joel Rosario, In Italian covered the mile on a firm turf course in 1:33.22.
In Italian’s victory gave Brown his fifth consecutive win in the race and sixth overall. It is Rosario’s third win in the race, having previously won for Brown aboard Uni (GB) in 2019 and 2020.
Rosario, who was aboard In Italian in her previous start, a front-running victory in the Diana (G1) at Saratoga, put the 4-year-old filly on the lead out of the gate and led the field through fractions of :23.37, :47.00 and 1:10.45 while maintaining a clear advantage.
In Italian had plenty left for the stretch run, opening a 2½-length lead at midstretch and easily turning back Regal Glory, who rallied in the middle of the course to get second.
In Italian is a daughter of Dubawi out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Florentina. Saturday’s victory was worth $397,963 and increased her career earnings to $989,183 with a record of 8-5-2-1.
In Italian returned $7.74, $3.38 and $2.74. Regal Glory, ridden by Jose Ortiz, returned $2.40 and $2.10 and finished 3¼ lengths in front of Princess Grace, who paid $3.38 to show under Florent Geroux.
It was another head back to Technical Analysis (IRE), also trained by Brown, with Market Rumor and Vigilantes Way following in order.
Quotes from the $750,000 First Lady (G1) Presented by UK HealthCare
Chad Brown (trainer of winner In Italian-GB, runner-up Regal Glory and fourth-place finisher Technical Analysis-IRE): “She’s (In Italian) developed – we got her out there on the lead, letting her do what she wants to do. We really like to come to this race. The only thing I was worried about was the layoff. She hadn’t run since the Diana (G1 in July at Saratoga). (Owner) Mr. (Peter) Brant and I got together, and I wanted to run her in between, but he wanted a fresh horse for the Breeders’ Cup, and that decision proved right. She overcame the layoff today and got a good prep she needed going forward.”
On winning six runnings of the First Lady, including the past five: “It means I’ve had a lot of good horses sent to me by good owners and great people I’m working with. That’s what it comes down to.”
Joel Rosario (winning jockey): “She got her speed going and relaxed going into the first turn. I was just there as a passenger. Thanks to (trainer) Chad Brown) and (owner) Peter (Brant) for the opportunity. I really appreciate it.”
Jose Ortiz (rider of runner-up Regal Glory): “The other filly (In Italian) is very nice. She got loose on the lead again and she’s doing great. Chad has done an amazing job with the two of them (In Italian and Regal Glory). Regal is a little bit older, but the other filly is tough. I feel like I had a great trip and I had every opportunity to beat her and I didn’t. I’m just very proud of Regal’s effort today.”
Mike Stidham (trainer of third-place finisher Princess Grace): “We didn’t know how it would set up pace wise; the thing that Flo (Florent Geroux) and I talked about was getting her to relax. They were going so fast up front, and he just let her settle. When he called on her he got a good response and was able to get her up into third.”
Will you send Princess Grace on to the Breeders’ Cup? “Probably not because there is not a good race for fillies going a mile. We would have to run against the boys. We’re probably not going to do that; we will probably freshen her and have her ready for the Matriarch (G1) at the end of the year.”
Florent Geroux (rider of Princess Grace): “She ran really good. There was a very good pace in front of us, and she was able to make a nice run down the lane. The first two finishers were out of our race, but I thought she ran a very courageous third place. I don’t think she lost anything in defeat.”
Racing continues Sunday with a 10-race program that begins at 1 p.m. and features three “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge races with the headliner being the $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) for fillies and mares, featuring defending champion Letruska and multiple Grade 1 winner Malathaat.
Keeneland Press Release
Photo by Coady Photography
