An inconspicuous change in equipment, blinkers off, proved the catalyst for Letruska to rise from relative obscurity and become the most accomplished in her division and an Eclipse Award finalist as outstanding older dirt female of 2021. Letruska hardly seemed a championship contender when the season began. At best, the daughter of Super Saver was a curiosity – a 5-year-old who began her career in Mexico City before relocating to the United States. The class challenge was daunting, and from late 2019 to late 2020, Letruska mixed flashes of brilliance with recurrent normalcy. But trainer Fausto Gutierrez and Mexican billionaire German Larrea, her owner-breeder, believed Letruska was higher class than indicated by two U.S. Grade 3 victories and six wins in Mexico City. But how to bring out her best? “When we removed the blinkers, she has more chance to relax, and finish strong. She has the chance to see the competition,” Gutierrez said. She had worn blinkers in her first 14 starts. :: Full list of 2021 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories Gutierrez concluded Letruska needed to feel her competition, rather than running away from it. When he removed blinkers for her final start of 2020, the change was dramatic. Letruska dominated the Grade 3 Rampart at Gulfstream Park by more than six lengths in the best performance of her career. She only got better in 2021. Letruska became a frequent flyer, and launched her 2021 campaign in January at Sam Houston. She set the pace in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies’ Classic and won clear. She was ready for deeper waters. In the Grade 2 Azeri in March at Oaklawn, a strategic miscue contributed to her defeat. Rather than speeding to the lead, which was her typical style, Letruska was rated off the pace. She finished second. Maybe she was not good enough. Her next start would tell the tale. In the Grade 1 Apple Blossom in April at Oaklawn, Letruska went up against two-time Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Monomoy Girl and multiple Grade 1 winner Swiss Skydiver. This time, Letruska played her ace – speed. New rider Irad Ortiz Jr. put Letruska on the lead, Monomoy Girl headed her in the lane, but Letruska re-rallied to win by a nose. Monomoy Girl never ran again; third-place Swiss Skydiver lost her next two and retired. Letruska, meanwhile, was just getting started. She wired the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps under Jose Ortiz in June at Belmont Park, and three weeks later won the Grade 2 Fleur De Lis at Churchill Downs the same way. After a two-month break, it was on to Saratoga. Reunited with Irad Ortiz, she wired the Grade 1 Personal Ensign and Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster in October at Keeneland. A blistering pace in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar foiled her chances. She finished 10th of 11. Letruska had done enough. She won six races and $1.9 million from eight starts at seven tracks in 2021. Plans call for her to continue her racing career as a 6-year-old. She enters 2022 having won 17 races and $2,256,459 from 23 starts.