Ag Bullet outlasts The Wild Grazer in Lady of Shamrock
Ag Bullet began 2023 as a maiden. Six weeks later, Ag Bullet is unbeaten in two starts this year, the latest of which was a neck win in the $100,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Sunday at Santa Anita.
Ag Bullet was ridden by Frankie Dettori, a late replacement for Joe Bravo, who took off his mounts on Sunday after being unseated in a race on Saturday.
Dettori had Ag Bullet in a stalking position behind pacesetter Broadway Girls for the first six furlongs. With a two-wide move, Ag Bullet took the lead entering the stretch and was fully extended to hold off a late threat from 2-1 favorite The Wild Grazer.
Ag Bullet ($6.40) ran a mile on turf in 1:35.82 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 84.
“It was her first time going a mile,” Dettori said in the winner’s circle. “She relaxed for me.”
Ag Bullet looked to be in command of the race in the final furlong, but tired late. She had enough of an advantage to secure a win in her stakes debut.
“The petrol just ran out at the end,” Dettori said.
The Wild Grazer finished three-quarters of a length in front of 4-1 Princess Bettina, who closed from last in a field of seven. Tea N Conversation finished fourth, followed by Nyvan, Broadway Girls and Quickly Park It.
Dettori, the internationally acclaimed rider who is based in California for the first time in his illustrious career this winter, swept the two stakes at Santa Anita over the weekend. Dettori rode Manhattan Judge to a win in Saturday’s Sweet Life Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course. Dettori plans to retire in the fall.
Ag Bullet, by Twirling Candy, races for Calvin Ngyuen and Joey Tran and trainer George Papaprodromou. She has earned $101,600 in three starts.
Purchased for $220,000 as a yearling, Ag Bullet finished fifth of seven in her debut in a maiden race at Del Mar on Nov. 12. She led throughout her second start in a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita on Jan. 22.
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