Praying … (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Trainer Robbie Medina wins his first stakes at Keeneland
Punches ticket for the $1 million PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1)
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Praying collared longtime leader Long Neck Paula at the eighth pole, assumed command at the sixteenth pole and then held off favored Vahva by a half-length to win the 45th running of the Thoroughbred Club of America (G2).
Trained by Robbie Medina and ridden by John Velazquez, Praying completed the 6 furlongs on the fast main track in 1:10.49. It is Medina’s first Keeneland stakes victory. Velazquez earned his second win in the race following Judy the Beauty in 2013.
Long Neck Paula led the field of seven through fractions of :22.23 and :45.33 while Praying raced on the outside in a stalking position clear of traffic. In the stretch, Velazquez sent Praying three wide after the leaders and had clear running to the finish.
Praying is a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Vekoma out of the Bernardini mare Pray for Leslie. Winner of the Prioress (G3) in her previous start, Praying boosted her bankroll to $466,040 with her third victory in nine starts.
Praying returned $21.74, $7.40 and $3.88. Vahva, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $3.64 and $2.34 with defending champion Zeitlos finishing third and paying $2.32 under Flavien Prat.
Vodka With a Twist was another nose back in fourth and followed in order by Long Neck Paula, Taxed and Halina’s Forte.
Racing continues Sunday afternoon with a 10-race program that features three stakes races headlined by the $650,000 Juddmonte Spinster (G1) with reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.
Keeneland will offer a Super Hi Five carryover of $12,990.
Quotes from the $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (G2) at Keeneland
John Velazquez (winning rider of Praying): “I have to give it to (trainer) Robbie (Medina). This filly has been a lot of work to get her to where she is right now. She’s a very nervous and very powerful girl, and we try to keep those nerves calmed down. He’s done that with her. She’s been a challenge to get her to where we are today. I tried to keep it nice and quiet in the post parade. By the time we got to the gate, right before the gate, she finally calmed down and she walked into the gate. She broke really good. All I wanted to do was sit down with her and not take too much hold of her and she got it done.”
Robbie Medina (winning trainer), On winning his first stakes at Keeneland: “It’s surreal. There’s nothing like winning a big stakes at Keeneland. It’s great.”
On getting Praying to calm down: “We just had to do a lot of Paddock work with her, get her to settle down in the Paddock. In the morning she’s no angel, but we try to get her to settle down in the morning. I think that, and that she’s just kind of maturing, and that’s what’s kind of set this off. She’s always had the ability, but she was getting in her own way.”
On handling the trip to Del Mar if he runs her in the PNC Bank Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1): “I think she’ll handle it. We shipped her from here to Saratoga and she was fine. I shipped her in here last Saturday and she’s been fine. She kind of got on her toes a little bit in the Paddock, but I kind of expected that. As long as she doesn’t get hot, I think she’ll handle what’s thrown at her now.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up and beaten favorite Vahva): “I got a beautiful trip. I broke good. She felt good and was in a good position. She held it for a while, but the winner kept coming. She fought really hard all the way to the wire.”
Cherie DeVaux (trainer of Vahva): “Proud of her. She puts in an effort every time. That’s all you can ask for.”
Plans regarding going to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships: “It will be part of the conversation. She is definitely going to the (Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale), so no harm, no foul for however she runs. We will just have to get her back and see how she’s training.”
