Madison Rae leads the way in Soviet Problem Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. - Three rivals lined up outside of Madison Rae in early stretch of Sunday’s $100,000 Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos.

All three looked poised to challenge pacesetter Madison Rae through the long stretch.

All three were unable to catch Madison Rae.

Winning the first stakes of her career, Madison Rae led throughout the Soviet Problem Stakes for California-bred 2-year-old fillies to score an upset as the fourth choice in a field of five.

Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Madison Rae ($20.20) won by a half-length over Loretta Lynn, the 7-10 favorite, who ran erratically through the stretch.

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Asada Fries, the 3-1 second choice, finished third by a length, followed by Petit Filet, and Putt for Dough, who broke poorly. Fly a Fantasy was scratched.

Ricardo Ramirez, who rode Petit Filet, lodged an objection against Joel Rosario, who was aboard Asada Fries, alleging interference in the stretch. The claim of foul was dismissed.

Madison Rae ran a mile in 1:38.52 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 66. She set a slow pace of 24.38 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.50, leading by as much as a length on the backstretch.

“Edwin on the lead is hard to run down,” winning trainer Peter Miller said. “I saw the fractions and I felt pretty good. She was really game.

“I thought if she could clear and make an easy lead, she might get brave.”

Madison Rae, who races for John Rochfort, Rafter JR Ranch, STD Racing and Michael Nentwig, is a filly by Pavel who was purchased for $38,000 at a 2-year-old training sale in Florida in April.

The Soviet Problem Stakes was Madison Rae’s second win in four starts. She has earned $109,940.

Madison Rae won a maiden race for statebred fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita on Oct. 8 in her second start, and was sixth of 10 in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 in her stakes debut.

Miller mentioned the $200,000 California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf for statebred 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Jan. 13 as an early winter goal for Madison Rae.

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