Makderah impressive in New York BC win

ELMONT, N.Y. - Makderah handled her first U.S. stakes assignment with style, storming home to win the Grade 2, $250,000 New York Breeders' Cup by four authoritative lengths Saturday at Belmont Park.

A 4-year-old Irish-bred filly owned by Shadwell Stable, Makderah surged from last in the six-horse field to earn her fourth win in 10 career starts.

This was only her third race in this county for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, and Makderah ($7.50) was stepping up from a second-level allowance victory.

The class hike was no obstacle for the Shadwell Stable homebred.

"When you step up from a two-other-than to a Grade 2, you don't think you are going to see the same result," McLaughlin said. "She was pretty impressive."

This could have been the coming-out party for a new star in the filly and mare turf ranks. The New York didn't attract the division leaders, but the field was solid.

Jade Queen was the 6-5 favorite in her second start of the season. The filly, third in her 2007 debut in an overnight stakes last month at Belmont, established her class last year with a pair of third-place finishes in Grade 1 stakes at Belmont - the Garden City Breeders' Cup and the Flower Bowl.

Jade Queen pressed the pace set by For Always before fading to fourth. In contrast, Makderah and jockey Alan Garcia were lurking at the back of the pack. Makderah then surged through the lane under a hand ride.

"When I asked her, she was gone," Garcia said.

The time was 2:00.07 for the 1 1/4 miles on the firm course.

Masseuse got second with Hostess third.

Scratches of Vacare and Barancella reduced the field to six. Vacare has an entrapped epiglottis and will undergo corrective surgery on Monday, said trainer Christophe Clement.

* Street Sass ($17.80) won the $66,750 She Rides Tonite Stakes on the New York BC undercard.