Roly Poly notches first Group 1 victory with Falmouth Stakes

Roly Poly got away from stablemate Winter and got her first Group 1 victory when she led nearly all the way Friday at Newmarket in the Falmouth Stakes.

Under Ryan Moore, Roly Poly quickly beat a path to the rail, assumed early command, and never was threatened, coming home 1 1/4 lengths clear of Wuheida, who ran well making her first start since Oct. 2 for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. Wuheida was a half-length clear of Arabian Queen as 3-year-olds swept the top five placings in a one-mile race open to fillies and mares age 3 and older.

Roly Poly gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his 11th Group 1 win of 2017. O’Brien, as was the case last year, figures to challenge Bobby Frankel’s season record of 25 Group or Grade 1 wins again this year.

Two more of O’Brien’s top-level triumphs this season came in the English 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes, both races won well by the top filly Winter. Roly Poly chased Winter home to little avail in both starts, but found the competition Friday well within her scope.

By War Front, Roly Poly is out of Misty for Me, by Galileo, and during a busy career she has compiled a record of 4-4-0 from 13 starts. At Santa Anita last fall, Roly Poly could finish only ninth in New Money Honey’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf win.