Meadowlands: R Dutchess dashes home in Girl Power for older trotting mares
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R Dutchess, with Tim Tetrick at the lines, scored a mild upset after bursting free from traffic in the homestretch to win the $188,200 Girl Power Mare Trot in 1:50 3/5 at the Meadowlands on Friday (Sept. 11).
The John Butenschoen-trained daughter of Father Patrick-The Ice Dutchess was quick to challenge the early-leaving longshots Warrawee Michelle and Woman Of Passion, both of whom flashed speed from the gate out of outside posts to take the front early. R Dutchess left the pylons with 7-5 favorite Walspea drafting behind her and Tactical Moni third-over in tow as they scorched the first quarter in 26 2/5.
Walspea shook loose among the crowd heading for a 54 2/5 half and took the top before Tactical Moni brushed up in the shuffle to snatch control. The two tiers rustled along, sharing the way to three-quarters in 1:22 1/5 with Tactical Moni fronting the field for home. Uncovered Conversano faltered while Yo Tillie kicked into gear from second-over and Warrawee Michelle soared back into contention down the center of the track. R Dutchess then sprung seamlessly between horses in the closing stages and spurted away to a 1 1/4-length win. Warrawee Michelle took second, with Yo Tillie finishing third and Walspea settling for fourth.
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"It was looking like a pretty good spot for a while. Nothing wrong with sitting on Walspea's back," John Butenschoen said, "and then next thing you know we're sitting third on the wood turning for home. It took about halfway down the stretch before things shook out where she was able to find some room, and she responded really well for us tonight. She had four consecutive weeks here where she never saw [the pylons] and she was closing in 26 seconds, trotted [a mile] in [1:]49 3/5 to end up third. [The draw] got her into play and she still threw that big last quarter at us."
R Dutchess won for the fourth time from 14 starts this season and for the 11th time from 40 starts in her career. The 4-year-old mare leased by M&L of Delaware and Armitage Farm has now banked $763,406 and paid $13 to win.