Mrs. Astor overcomes slow pace to win Frankel

ARCADIA, Calif. -- A slow pace could not keep Mrs. Astor from a winning late rally in Friday’s Grade 3 Robert Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares on turf at Santa Anita.

Closing from fourth in a field of six, Mrs. Astor reached the front after a wide rally to win by a head over 11-1 Mahina. With the victory in the $100,000 Frankel Stakes, Mrs. Astor won her second consecutive Grade 3 and for the third time in her last four starts.

“She had the momentum and she did the rest,” winning jockey Frankie Dettori said. “It sounds easy. She made it easy for me.”

Mrs. Astor ($13) ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.57.

Omaha Girl (14-1) held an early lead through fractions of 24.65 for the first quarter-mile and 49.29 for a half-mile, racing as much as 1 1/2 lengths in front of 7-10 favorite Hang the Moon.

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Omaha Girl held her advantage to the final furlong, challenged by Hang the Moon. Mrs. Astor, racing on the outside of those two, took the lead in the final furlong and was fully extended to edge Mahina, who was ridden by Flavien Prat.

“She ran a game race,” Prat said.

Yerwanthere closed from fifth to finish third, a half-length behind Mahina. Omaha Girl, Mouffy, and Hang the Moon completed the order of finish.

Hang the Moon stalked the pace instead of racing as a closer.

“That was the plan,” jockey Kazushi Kimura said. “There was no speed.”

The Frankel Stakes was Hang the Moon’s first start since she finished last of 12 in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Earlier this year, Hang the Moon’s closing style led to consecutive wins in Grade 2 stakes in the summer and fall – the John Mabee Stakes at Del Mar on Sept. 7 and the Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 5.

Mrs. Astor and Mahina finished first and fourth in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Nov. 24.

Mrs. Astor is a 4-year-old filly by Lookin At Lucky. Trained by Jonathan Thomas for owner and breeder George Strawbridge Jr., Mrs. Astor has won 4 of 16 starts and earned $355,235.

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