La Feve wins first stakes in Duchess
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Maryland-based turf runner La Feve parlayed a perfect stalking trip into her first stakes win under Rafael Hernandez in the $105,800 Duchess on Saturday at Woodbine.
La Feve ($15.30) raced in fourth on the backstretch in the seven-furlong sprint, while Winandyourin Gin pressed a moderate pace set by Charmaine’s Mia in the seven-furlong Tapeta sprint.
La Feve split horses early in the stretch to assume command, as 7-2 favorite Intanga Rose was in the midst of a wide rally. La Feve went on to score by three-quarters of length in a time of 1:23.59.
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A slow-starting Wings of Dawn closed furiously from last to finish another neck behind Intanga Rose in third in the 10-horse field of 3-year-old fillies.
It was the first non-turf start for La Feve, a French import by George Vancouver.
“She broke good out of the gate,” Hernandez said. “She put herself in a good position. I didn’t have too much traffic. Everything worked [out] perfect.”
Trained by Graham Motion, La Feve banked $60,000 for the partnership of Madaket Stables, Robert LaPenta, Lindy Farms, and Team Hanley.