Didia sweeps to the front and wins the Modesty under Vincent Cheminaud (Daniella Ricci/Past The Wire)
Churchill Downs Press Release
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Merriebelle Stable’s Didia (ARG) swept past longtime leader Sweet Dani Girl en route to a 1 ½-length victory in the 66th running of the $300,000 Modesty presented by TwinSpires (GIII) for fillies and mares.
Trained by Ignacio Correas IV and ridden by Vincent Cheminaud, Didia completed the mile and one-eighth over a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in a stakes-record 1:47.46 in winning her seventh consecutive race and fourth in the United States.
Sweet Dani Girl quickly opened a daylight advantage and led the field of seven through fractions of :23.25, :47.84 and 1:11.58 as Didia received a ground-saving trip while racing third.
At the head of the stretch, Didia closed in on Sweet Dani Girl and pushed by at midstretch for the victory.
The victory was worth $182,280 and increased Didia’s earnings to $472,109 with a record of 11-8-1-0. Didia is a 5-year-old daughter of Orpen out of the Rainbow Corner mare Dealmbre.
Didia returned $7.18, $4.42 and $3.48. Sweet Dani Girl, ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $9.32 and $6.20 and finished a half-length in front of New Year’s Eve, who paid $4.54 to show under Luis Saez.
It was 1 ¼ lengths back to Shantisara (IRE) with McKulick (GB), Sparkle Blue and Lady Rockstar (GB) following in order.
MODESTY QUOTES
Vince Cheminaud, jockey, Didia (ARG), winner: “This year, she has progressed in every race. We had a good trip today and when I asked her for run today, she responded. It’s a nice filly and I hope she will progress and win a Grade 1 this year.”
Ignacio Correas IV, trainer, Didia (ARG), winner: “I won’t say I was worried, but they were bunched tightly at the start. I felt more confident once I saw her settle into third. From there, it was just a matter of whether or not she would have her kick. I don’t know how she does it, but she always makes it look easy.”
Javier Castellano, jockey, Sweet Dani Girl, runner-up: “She ran a good race today. She stepped up into better class and I like that. She’s very competitive and never gave up. Ran strong fractions early, slowed down a bit late but she fought very hard. We were just second best and I give a lot of credit to the winner. Maybe next time we can beat her.”
