Iva opens season with Cincinnati Trophy score

Trainer Wesley Ward initially believed Iva to be a filly of modest ability as an inexperienced juvenile, an opinion reinforced when she recorded a slow maiden win by a half-length at Indiana Grand last May. However, with training and follow-up starts she improved his opinion of her, repeating in a Belterra allowance race in September, only to do even better in defeat in her final race at 2, finishing second in the House Party at Gulfstream Park.

Friday at Turfway Park in her first start at 3, she demonstrated her progress has continued into her sophomore season by taking the $50,000 Cincinnati Trophy under Julio Garcia.

Although her winning margin was not vast, 1 1/4 lengths over Workaholic, the style of her score is likely to leave her connections encouraged. Surprisingly void of customary speed, she seemed to be in a somewhat tricky position in fifth down the backstretch, only to rid herself of traffic late on the turn and into the stretch.

She advanced into third coming into the lane, and after being guided into the clear, proved superior. Inside the final furlong, she collared Workaholic, who had taken command in early stretch after initially pressing the pace, and then seemed to idle over the final 70 yards, her task all but finished. The even-money favorite, she raced 6 1/2 furlongs on Polytrack in 1:18.82.

Workaholic appeared fatigued down the stretch, but still finished a half-length in front of third-place Malibu Party, a maiden and 43-1 longshot. Behind the latter was Dream Boat Anna, who had established the early pace with fractions of 23.06 seconds and 46.27.

Stellar Stiletto, New Roo, Princess Athena, Bivian B, Giro Kate, and Market Success completed the order of finish. Scratched from the race were four fillies, including the pair of Fun Finder and Thunderous Gem, who had been secondary favorites on the morning line.

In winning the Cincinnati Trophy, Iva ($4.20) earned $29,450 for her owner and breeder, Bonne Chance Farm. Potentially more rewarding was the residual breeding benefit of her becoming a stakes winner, a key accomplishment for the 3-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy out of the stakes-winning mare Sushi Empire.