Slewperstitus uses Weather Vane Stakes to shed bridesmaid label
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Slewperstitus, a seven-time runner-up in 12 career starts, rallied for her first open-company stakes victory in the $100,000 Weather Vane on Saturday at Laurel Park.
Several shippers seemed like dangerous contenders in the field of seven 3-year-old fillies, but the Maryland-bred easily handled them in a 2 1/4-length score.
Despite attaining a great deal of success in a short time, including a state-restricted victory in the $100,000 Maryland Million Lassie last year, Slewperstitus has developed a reputation as a bridesmaid for trainer Robert Bailes. The filly entered the Weather Vane off three straight runner-up finishes and went off as the 7-2 third choice.
But with an ideal stalking trip under jockey Jevian Toledo, the local contender chased in fourth and then third, leaving Just Philtored and Embrace the Moment to duel for the early lead in the six-furlong sprint. Just Philtored, who defeated Slewperstitus in 4 of 5 prior meetings, held a short lead through an opening quarter-mile in 22.84 and half-mile in 45.99.
The front-running Michael Trombetta trainee remained the target on the far turn and, with a wide move, Slewperstitus drove right around her to take a 1 1/2-length lead at the top of the stretch.
Sneaky Good, a graded stakes-placed filly trained by Brad Cox, and French Friction, a dominant stakes winner at Oaklawn Park earlier this year, both made strong moves from the back of the pack, but they were merely picking up the pieces. Toledo kept Slewperstitus to task for a tidy victory, completing the six-furlong distance in 1:10.87 and paying $9.20 to win.
Sneaky Good finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of French Friction, who also was rallying far too late at the end.
Slewperstitus was the only horse in the field to be wearing either blinkers or front wraps. The head equipment has been a staple for the filly since December, but front wraps were removed for a runner-up finish in a second-level allowance last month and added back for her return to stakes company.
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