Clairiere makes Cotillion first Grade 1 victory, could try BC Distaff
BENSALEM, Pa. - Clairiere finally got the Grade 1 victory her connections had been chasing all year when she won Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing by 2 1/2 lengths.
In her quest for Grade 1 success, the regally bred Clairiere finished fourth in the Kentucky Oaks, third in the Coaching Club American Oaks and second in the Alabama. Two of those races were won by Malathaat, the clear leader of the 3-year-old filly division. The CCA Oaks had Malathaat in it, though she was upset that day by Maracuja.
Clairiere, a daughter of Grade 1 winners Curlin and Cavorting, received the type of trip Saturday that was the most successful at Parx - off the pace and wide.
“I can’t tell you what it means for Clairiere and Stonestreet and that family that she comes from to have her first Grade 1 win,” winning trainer Steve Asmussen said.
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Ricardo Santana Jr. had Clairiere sixth of eight down the backside while Always Carina, under John Velazquez, set fractions of 24.92 for the quarter, 49.67 for the half-mile, and 1:13.87 for six furlongs while being stalked by Obligatory.
Santana bided his time and gradually gained on the leaders around the far turn. Turning for home, Clairiere was five-wide but was moving best of all, running by Obligatory before the eighth pole and widening her advantage in the final furlong.
Obligatory finished second, a half-length in front of Army Wife. Maracuja, who bobbled at the break, finished fourth, and was followed by Always Carina, Leader of the Band, Will’s Secret, and Allworthy. Private Mission scratched.
“She looked really comfortable down the backside, she was carrying him along nicely within herself and within striking range,” Asmussen said. “She’s kept herself in great company all year and is just getting good when it matters most.”
Santana was riding Clairiere for the first time since last November, when she finished second in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.
“I broke her maiden last year at Churchill and she’s such a sweetheart and I was really comfortable with her and she kicked on really well,” Santana said. “I had too much horse and I was just waiting turning for home.”
Clairiere covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.31 and returned $7.20 as the favorite. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
Jose Ortiz put Obligatory into the race early and thought it paid off with a solid effort.
I knew there was going to be no speed, so I tried to be a little aggressive from the gate, which I was and I ended up in a good position,” said Ortiz, who added that with the pace as slow as it was and sitting where he was “you got a shot to win.”
Joel Rosario, aboard Army Wife, was going to try and go outside, but he had to go back inside and “lost a little bit of my momentum right there. But she was still fighting.”
Asmussen said he would discuss future plans with Barbara Banke of Stonestreet Farm, but he would like to take a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
“I think she’s consistently getting faster at the right time,” Asmussen said.