Maryquitecontrary was runner up to Three Witches (#5) in last year’s edition. (Ryan Thompson/Coglianese)
‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge Race
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Rodney Lundock’s Maryquitecontrary fell just a half-length short of victory while finishing second in last year’s Princess Rooney Invitational (G3) as the 7-5 favorite. The 5-year-old daughter of First Dude is set for a return in the ‘Win and You’re In’ Breeders’ Cup Challenge race Saturday at Gulfstream Park rated a somewhat distant third on the morning line at 6-1.
The Eddie Plesa Jr. trainee has been winless in five starts since defending her title in the Rampart to open the 2023-2024 Championship Meet. She has finished in the money in four of those five starts but has been unable to reproduce the winning stretch drives that marked her early career, most notably in the 2023 Inside Information (G2) on a five-race winning streak.
Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Soul of an Angel, the 8-5 morning-line favorite, and Victor Barboza Jr.-trained Beth’s Dream, rated second at 9-5, have enjoyed more recent success than Maryquitecontrary.
In her most recent start in the Sheer Drama, Maryquitecontrary closed in traffic to finish second at the seven-furlong Princess Rooney distance in the Sheer Drama, beaten four lengths by Beth’s Dream.
“Her last race was a race I expected her to run really big in and I thought she did,” Plesa said. “Needless to say, Beth’s Dream is a really tough horse to beat, but it seems to me that there might be a little more speed in this race. Hopefully that will be the case and that will soften up things for us towards the end.”
Edgard Zayas had the return call.
