Northfield: No separating Zanatta, Ucandoit Blue Chip in Courageous Lady

Rarely do rivalries live up to the hype in horse racing, but on Saturday (October 14), the rivalry between Jugette winner Ucandoit Blue Chip and Jugette runner-up Zanatta more than lived up to the hype as the pair scored a dead-heat victory in the $100,000 Courageous Lady Stakes at MGM Northfield Park.

Zanatta (Bongiorno) fired off the wings as the starter gave the word go and cleared Cruise Alert (Jordan Stratton) into the first turn. With Bongiorno setting up shop on the front-end, cruising to the quarter in 27.4, she was followed by pocket-sitting Cruise Alert and Ucandoit Blue Chip (Scott Zeron) into the far turn for the first time.

Coming to the half in a testy 55 4/5, Zeron sent Ucandoit Blue Chip to the outside from third, with Rec Time (Chris Page) in tow. Bongirono tried to create some separation, opening up to a three-length lead with Zanatta into the backstretch for the final time.

Up the backstretch, the two dominant fillies hooked up and matched strides past three-quarters in 1:23 2/5, and the stage was set for a dynamic final quarter. Bongiorno, who had set some stiff fractions up to that point, said that he was upset he couldn't get his filly to relax throughout most of the mile.

Turning for home, it appeared that Zanatta would upend her foe, but Ucandoit Blue Chip dug down deep and gathered up momentum late to get back on even terms, both hitting the wire in 1:52 4/5. It was the first time in the track's history that there had been a dead-heat in a major stakes event.

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"We knew that we would be first up this week, my filly (Ucandoit Blue Chip) raced really brave, and I am tickled with how she raced," said jubilant Hall of Fame trainer Linda Toscano.

Zanatta's victory pushed her career earnings to $587,585 for owner One Legend Stable and trainer Jennifer Bongiorno.

Ucandoit Blue Chip heads to the breeding shed following her victory in Saturday's Courageous Lady. "She's been so much fun to train," said Toscano. "It's been well documented that her mother (Molly Can Do It) gave me my first Breeders' Crown winner; having her come along and do what she has been a pleasure."

Ucandoit Blue Chip ended her career with $596,127 in earnings and 11 wins in 22 trips to the racetrack. She is owned by Bill Elliott of Woodstock, Ontario.

--press release (Northfield)--