Reggane surges from last to first in E.P. Taylor

Reggane trailed the field of 10 with slightly more than five furlongs to run but launched a steady rally which carried her to a one-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine.

One of eight European invaders in the 1 ¼-mile turf race for fillies and mares, Reggane outfinished local hopeful Miss Keller, who had hit the front in midstretch and briefly appeared to be headed for victory.

Shalanaya was competitive throughout but finished another 1 3/4 lengths back in third place while Contredanse, the 5-2 favorite, lacked sufficient late kick and ended another three-quarters of a length back in fourth.

Pachattack, who was shipping back from England after returning there following a sixth-place finish in Arlington’s Beverly D., was last with a furlong to go but made up ground late to finish fifth.

Akarlina, who had left Reggane two lengths back as the runner-up when the pair last met in the Coupe de Maisons Lafitte over 1 1/4 miles of soft going, set the pace to the top of the stretch in the E.P. Taylor but faded to finish sixth.

Gallic Star, defending champion Lahaleeb, Silver Grey, and Mekong Melody rounded out the order of finish.

Reggane, who is based in France with trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre, was ridden for the first time by Christophe Soumillon and returned $22.80.

”The pace was fast enough for me to wait, and when I came into the turn I could tell that many horses in front of me were slowing down,” said Soumillon. “When I asked her, she gave me a good turn of foot.”

The final time was 2:03.38 on turf rated good.

Reggane returned $22.80 and combined with Miss Keller for a $115.90 exacta. The trifecta came back at $526.50 and the superfecta paid $758.60.