Filimbi surges late to win De La Rose Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Filimbi continued her forward progress since coming to the United States and joining trainer Bill Mott’s barn this year when surging late to a 1 3/4-length victory over Dayatthespa in Saturday’s $100,000 De La Rose Stakes at Saratoga.

Filimbi is a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Mizzen Mast owned by Juddmonte Farms Inc. She began her career in France, winning three times while never off the board in seven starts, and has continued to prove a consistent sort since arriving in North America.

Idle since winning a high-priced optional-claiming race May 21 at Belmont Park, Filimbi settled in midpack behind the pacesetting Dayatthespa, advanced to contention quickly on the second turn, drew even with the leader near midstretch, then surged clear in impressive fashion inside the sixteenth pole.

Dayatthespa, who had not started since finishing fourth nine months ago in the Grade 1 Matriarch, set the pace, disposed of early challenges from Alaura Michele and Ready Signal, resisted the winner briefly when challenged, but proved no match at the end. Pianist, also idle since the Matriarch, fanned widest into the stretch, reached close contention nearing the eighth pole, but could not sustain her bid.

Filimbi was ridden to victory by Joel Rosario and paid $6.70.

“[Rosario] let her run out of there. We were a little wide on the first turn, but he was able to tuck in, so it wasn’t a terribly wide trip,” Mott said. “When he wanted to, he had a clear run, and what I was impressed with was that she ran heads up with a good horse from the eighth pole and just accelerated and put in a real nice run. You always hope they keep improving a little bit at a time, and that’s what she’s been doing. I think this was a very solid field. I don’t think anybody can deny there were some really nice fillies in here.”