Becca Taylor takes second straight graded stakes in Great Lady M.
CYPRESS, Calif. -- Becca Taylor began the year as a statebred stakes winner. Midway through 2022, Becca Taylor is a multiple graded stakes winner.
On Monday at Los Alamitos, Becca Taylor won her second consecutive graded stakes, and her most prestigious race, in the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares. Becca Taylor was always near the front and repelled a challenge from Elm Drive in early stretch before winning by two lengths.
Jockey Juan Hernandez said Becca Taylor ($3.40) was an eager filly first throughout the race distance of 6 1/2 furlongs. Becca Taylor fought with 15-1 Brandon’smylawyer to her inside through an opening quarter-mile in 21.68 seconds and led by a length after a half-mile in 44.61.
“She broke sharp again today,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t want to go head-and-head with the inside horse. I was able to keep her outside. She relaxed a little bit more.
“I didn’t want the front, but she did it on her own.”
Elm Drive (9-2) was within a length in early stretch, but could not sustain the threat. Samurai Charm (7-1) closed from fifth to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Elm Drive.
Becca Taylor was timed in 1:15.25 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85.
Cover Version finished fourth, followed by Lady Mystify, Ain’t Easy, and Brandon’smylawyer.
Becca Taylor, a 4-year-old by Old Topper, has won 9 of 10 starts and earned $519,160 for owner and breeder Nick Alexander and trainer Steve Miyadi.
Becca Taylor has won four stakes. She won the Spring Fever Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita in February and her graded stakes debut in the Grade 3 Desert Stormer Stakes at six furlongs there on June 4.
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In her only defeat, Becca Taylor finished second by a nose to Eddie’s New Dream in the Irish O’Brien Stakes for statebred fillies and mares at about 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in March.
In 2021, Becca Tayor won her stakes debut in the Evening Jewel Stakes for statebred 3-year-old fillies.
The Great Lady M. Stakes equaled the longest race of her career.