Saratoga: Lady Cohiba a winning substitute for Clement in Glens Falls

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Christophe Clement had been looking forward to running Mystical Star in Monday’s $150,000 Glens Falls Stakes. But after heavy rain washed the closing-day turf fixture to a muddy main track, Clement withdrew Mystical Star and called upon Lady Cohiba, who led throughout under jockey Junior Alvarado to register a half-length decision over the late-charging White Rose.

Lady Cohiba, who was entered for main track only, was making just her second start of the year. Her first also came over a wet track when she finished third after leading through mid-stretch of the Alada overnight stakes four weeks earlier.

With Alvarado aboard for the first time, Lady Cohiba went right to the lead while stalked early by Greed and Fear. Lady Cohiba shook free of her early pursuer on the final turn, then withstood a final surge from White Rose. Scampering rallied belatedly to finish third. She was followed by Geisha Gal, Malibu Holiday, Greed and Fear, and Cash for Clunkers.

Lady Cohiba, a 4-year-old daughter of Broken Vow, is owned by Live Oak Plantation. The win was her four in 11 tries. She paid $5. The victory would be the first graded stakes success for Lady Cohiba if the graded stakes committee allows the Glens Falls Grade 3 status to stand. All graded stakes moved from the turf to the main track must be reviewed by the committee.

“Nice filly, she deserved to that kind of race,” said Clement. “We don’t know if the race will stay a graded stakes or not, we’ll have to wait to see what the graded stakes committee will have to tell us. Nevertheless, it’s a nice race to win. Mystical Star had trained great for the race so I’m disappointed about that, but Junior rode a great race and life is good.”