Lady Shipman impresses in Coronation Cup

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kathleen O’Connell’s bucket list got a little shorter on Monday after her lightning-fast 3-year-old turf filly Lady Shipman cruised to a popular and extremely impressive 3 1/4-length victory over Miss Ella in the $100,000 Coronation Cup, giving her trainer her first stakes victory at Saratoga.

With her regular rider, Eduardo Nunez, aboard, Lady Shipman broke running to control the pace, opened a commanding advantage turning for home, and was never threatened thereafter. Miss Ella was easily second-best, finishing 3 1/2 lengths in front of Darling Sky.

The win was the sixth in as many starts at distances of five to 5 1/2 furlongs on grass for the daughter of Midshipman, who also won the six-furlong OBS Sprint over the artificial surface at the Ocala Training Center in January.

“That filly is a freak,” said the trainer of one of Lady Shipman’s eight victims, paying a compliment to the winner, who completed 5 1/2 furlongs over a firm course in 1:00.85, just 0.25 seconds off the track record set by Fiddlers Patriot nearly five years ago.

Lady Shipman is owned by Ranlo Investments LLC. She paid $3.40.

When asked if Lady Shipman’s performance in the Coronation Cup was her best yet, O’Connell smiled and said, “Her best is yet to come.”

“I’ve won a race here before, but a stakes is special. A lot of history, a lot of great trainers, a lot of great horses here,” said O’Connell. “She’s been a blessing, a real pleasure.”

O’Connell said she’s got nothing planned for Lady Shipman’s next start, adding that it’s not out of the question that the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint could be on her itinerary later this year.