Simply in Front splits horses in deep stretch for win. (Courtney Snow/Past The Wire)
Jockey Ben Curtis gets first Grade 1 Victory
Keeneland Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Far back at the top of the stretch, Simply in Front moved toward the inside and began splitting horses until she collared Choisya (GB) inside the sixteenth pole and held off Segesta by a neck to win the 28th running of the $800,000 First Lady.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Ben Curtis, Simply in Front completed the mile on a firm turf course in 1:34.76.
Raqiya (IRE) set the pace with pressure to her outside from Jody’s Pride while Choisya enjoyed a rail run just in behind the top two. Turning for home, Frankie Dettori cut the corner on Choisya and quickly opened a daylight margin that lasted to deep stretch.
A Keeneland sales graduate, Simply in Front is a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Summer Front out of the Blame mare Complicated. In winning for the sixth time in 16 starts, Simply in Front picked up her third graded stakes victory and improved her earnings to $2,868,611.
Simply in Front returned $28.24, $11.36 and $6.62. Segesta, ridden by Flavien Prat, returned $7.20 and $5.04 and finished a neck in front of Choisya, who was ridden by Frankie Dettori and paid $4.96 to show.
It was another head back to Deep Satin with Pin Up Betty, Heredia (GB), favored Dynamic Pricing (IRE), Ozara (IRE), Jody’s Pride, Raqiya (IRE) and Nanda Dea (ARG) following in order.
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 $800,000 First Lady (G1) at Keeneland
Ben Curtis (winning rider of Simply in Front), On getting his first Grade 1 win: “It’s unbelievable. I can’t put it into words, to be honest with you, and getting it for (trainer) Eddie (Kenneally) as well. I first came over for him years ago. He used to tell me I was breezing them wrong, but I think we finally got something right! To do it for him, all the team there, Catherine (Mrs. Kenneally) and the kids, it means the world to me. She’s a really nice filly and everything went perfect today.”
On how he worked out the trip as a lot of horses came together at the end: “She wants that two turns. She really gets into the race, relaxes, and she’s got that kick at the end. She got beat by a very good filly last time at Kentucky Downs (Ag Bullet in the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint-G2 Aug. 30) and she was running her down at the line. On that form I thought she had every chance coming here. I just rode the best filly in the race, and when that seam came, I put her in there and she did the rest. I just enjoyed it.”
Eddie Kenneally (winning trainer), On being part of jockey Ben Curtis’s first Grade 1 win: “It’s great. I’m glad Ben was on board today. We got a really good trip and a beautiful ride. The filly is good right now, so it all feels great. She’s had a phenomenal year already prior to today, and today is the icing on the cake. I think she can continue to improve.”
On what’s next on Simply in Front’s calendar: “We’ll look at a couple of races that are available to her at Del Mar on Breeders’ Cup (weekend). We’ll get together with John (Brnjas of Colebrook Farms), the owner, and come up with a plan.”
Flavien Prat (rider of runner-up Segesta): “I used a little bit to get a position going into the first turn, and I was able to get myself a cover down the backside. Gave me a nice breather. In the turn for home, she gave me a good run.”
Frankie Dettori (rider of third-place finisher Choisya-GB): “I had to take the gap. That possibly made me go a little too early. I made the lead, but then I could feel a break in front, waiting for the others. Then I came wide, and she didn’t see her. Unfortunately, you have to take the chance when they come. But if I had to run the race again, I would have been a little bit more patient. I wasn’t beaten fast, so it could have made a difference.”
Dylan Davis (rider of seventh-place finisher and beaten favorite Dynamic Pricing-IRE): “I was just trying to get in a good position for the first turn. Comfortably, she finds herself in that spot. I worked my way down the backside and found myself another flight. I thought I was in good shape, but she just wasn’t there for me today. She felt good, but it just wasn’t her day. She never kicked on from there until the quarter pole.”
