Edgeway holds off Merneith in Kalookan Queen Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Edgeway began her 2021 campaign with an easy win in an allowance race at Santa Anita last February and ended the season with a second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar in November.

Edgeway had her first start of 2022 in Sunday’s $77,028 Kalookan Queen Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita, which was little more than a trial.

Ridden for the first time by John Velazquez, Edgeway ($2.80) led throughout, prevailing by 1 3/4 lengths over 9-5 Merneith.

“I let her do her thing,” Velazquez said. “She put in a nice run.”

Edgeway was timed in 1:16.85 after setting an early pace of 22.15 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.96 for a half-mile. Edgeway earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 86.

The win was the first start of a season designed to get the 5-year-old mare back to the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

From a betting perspective, Edgeway and Merneith were standouts in the four-runner Kalookan Queen Stakes. Merneith, unraced since a win in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs last February, was second throughout, racing as close as a half-length behind Edgeway after a half-mile.

Edgeway led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining, but jockey Edwin Maldonado was able to reduce the margin in the final furlong. Maldonado was left encouraged by Merneith’s comeback performance, and wished the race had been longer.

“I went from the gate,” Maldonado said. “In my mind, it was a two-horse race. If it had been a seven-furlong race, it would have been different.”

Stellar Sound finished third, followed by Queengol. Stella Noir was withdrawn on Sunday morning.

Edgeway, by Competitive Edge, has won 6 of 10 starts and earned $596,360 for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler. Edgeway has won three stakes, but her second-place finish to Ce Ce by 2 1/2 lengths in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint was arguably her best performance.

Sadler said Edgeway is a candidate for the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes on Feb. 5.