Interstatedaydream upsets Black-Eyed Susan with stalking trip
BALTIMORE – Interstatedaydream, getting the stalking trip that seems to be her preference, surged to the front in upper stretch and held off favored Adare Manor through the length of the lane to post a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Friday at Pimlico.
Interstatedaydream ($14.20), the third choice at 6-1, was able to track pacesetting Beguine during the early portions of the 1 1/8-mile race, then took the lead when Beguine capitulated. Adare Manor, the 2-1 favorite, had been just behind and outside those two, moved into a threatening position in upper stretch, but never could gain appreciable ground and had to settle for second.
Radio Days, 10th early, rallied for third, another length behind Adare Manor, then came, in order, Divine Huntress, Favor, Morning Matcha, Miss Yearwood, Distinctlypossible, Midnight Stroll, Candy Light, Luna Belle, Beguine, and Missy Greer.
Luna Belle, the local favorite who came into the race with a five-race win streak, lost her chance at the start with a poor break. Midnight Stroll was compromised on the first turn when she had to check off heels when squeezed by rivals.
Interstatedaydream, ridden by Florent Geroux, completed 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:48.73. She earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.
Interstatedaydream had not raced since finishing third six weeks ago at Keeneland in the Grade 1 Ashland, in which she set the pace but then tired over a wet-fast track. She had crushed lesser competition in an allowance victory in her race prior at Oaklawn, in her 3-year-old debut and first start going two turns, and had a similar trip in the Black-Eyed Susan.
Beguine rocketed out of the gate and went the opening quarter in 23.34 seconds and kept up that pace through the half in 46.65. Interstatedaydream, just off her hip and going comfortably, kept on motoring when Beguine went in reverse.
“She had been training great,” said exercise rider Katie Tolbert, who deputized for her boss, trainer Brad Cox. “We had high hopes for her.”
Adare Manor, second most recently in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks, got over well enough from her wide draw of post 10 in the field of 13. Her jockey, John Velazquez, said he thought he was in a good spot, but that Adare Manor didn’t quicken as he desired when he wanted her to advance nearing the end of the backstretch.
After that, “she kept, steady, steady, steady,” Velazquez said. “She was a little flat.”
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Interstatedaydream, by Classic Empire out of the Uncle Mo mare Babcock, is owned by the Flurry Racing Stables of Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, Ark., where Interstatedaydream captured her comeback race in March. At age 2, Interstatedaydream won on debut at Belmont Park in June, then was second in the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga before being sidelined for seven months.
Interstatedaydream has now won three times in five starts, and the $150,000 winner’s share on Friday increased her career bankroll to $351,225.