Black Mamba goes out a winner

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Black Mamba made her swan song for the Double Down Stables a winning one Sunday at Keeneland, getting a perfect trip under Robby Albarado when capturing the over a yielding turf course.

Maintaining an ideal striking spot throughout the 1 1/2-mile journey, Black Mamba bounded to the lead in the last of three turns before finishing 1 1/2 lengths clear of a belated run from Winter View and jockey Julien Leparoux.

Black Mamba, a 6-year-old New Zealand-bred mare who has raced primarily in Southern California for trainer John Sadler, returned $5.20 as the favorite in a field of nine fillies and mares. She finished in 2:37.07 and earned $75,000, bringing her career bankroll to $980,763. The most notable of her 7 victories from 30 career starts came in the Grade 1 John C. Mabee at Del Mar in 2008.

Black Mamba is scheduled to be sold Nov. 10 in the select mixed sales at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. Richard Templer of Double Down said she will go through the ring as "a racing and broodmare prospect."

Winter View, the 2-1 second choice, was up in the final jumps to get second by a nose from Ballynoe, who had 5 3/4 lengths on Caprice. Lemonette and Sweet and Flawless were early scratches.