Churchill Downs: Miz Ida runs down Daisy Devine to upset Mint Julep
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Miz Ida came with a rush after wheeling out into the middle of the turf course to resume her winning ways Saturday in the 37th running of the Grade 3, $109,100 Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs.
With Shaun Bridgmohan aboard, Miz Ida was ahead of just one opponent after turning for home in the 1 1/16-mile race, but after she picked off Daisy Devine in the final 70 yards, she was a winner for the sixth time in her last 9 starts, finishing in 1:42.37 over firm going.
“What a run,” said Steve Margolis, who trains Miz Ida for owner-breeders Bert, Elaine, and Richard Klein. “Shaun did a great job with her.”
Daisy Devine, the millionaire mare who was a 4-5 favorite under Brian Hernandez Jr., stalked Soft Whisper into defeat, but those sustained efforts left her with nothing to fend off Miz Ida. She finished 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner, with Colonial Flag another 1 1/4 lengths back in third. Then came Soft Whisper, Heavenly Landing, and Run a Risk.
Margolis and the Kleins have been hot lately, having also won the Friday feature, a high-end turf-sprint allowance, with another homebred, Good Deed. Through Saturday, Margolis trailed only Mike Maker and Steve Asmussen atop the spring-meet standings.
Before the Mint Julep, Miz Ida had finished second in a May 12 allowance prep at Churchill in her first start in nearly six months. Last year, she went on a 5-for-6 tear that included four stakes wins. The 4-year-old daughter of Proud Citizen earned $66,966 on Saturday to lift her career bankroll to $383,151.
“She’s a real nice filly,” said Richard Klein. “I don’t want to try the real heavy-heads for now. We’re going to send her to Canterbury next” for the $100,000 Lady Canterbury on July 13.
The $2 exacta (3-5) paid $20; the $1 trifecta (3-5-1) returned $37.40; and the 10-cent superfecta (3-5-1-6) was worth $9.49.