Small in size, Biddy Duke shows a big heart to win Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Biddy Duke had an unconventional path leading to her first stakes win in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes at Santa Anita.

Last spring, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Biddy Duke raced against Quarter Horses in two 870-yard races at Los Alamitos at a time when Santa Anita was ordered closed by government officials.

Biddy Duke finished first in an allowance race at 870 yards on April 4, but was disqualified and placed fifth for causing interference. Two weeks later, Biddy Duke was fourth in the Wheatland Handicap against males at 870 yards.

Those races contributed to the decision by owner Joe Besecker and trainer Doug O’Neill to claim the 3-year-old filly for $40,000 on May 23, shortly after racing resumed at Santa Anita.

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The claim has been a wild success. Biddy Duke has won 3 of 6 starts since being claimed and was second or third in three stakes at Pleasanton and Santa Anita from mid-June to late September. Biddy Duke, by Bayern, has earned $148,560 since being claimed.

“Joe Besecker called and liked her,” O’Neill said. “I said, ‘Really? I questioned his scouting of her. What a big-hearted filly for a small filly.

“She’s one of those that is so easy to fall in love with. There is nothing about her that screams first round draft choice.”

In the $100,500 Maddy Stakes, Biddy Duke ($20.20) set the early pace under Juan Hernandez and then fought off a sustained challenge in the final furlong by 5-2 Jo Jo Air to win by a head, finishing about 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:02.03.

Biddy Duke earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

Jo Jo Air, who won the Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar in July, finished a length in front of 9-1 An Eddie Surprise, also trained by O’Neill. An Eddie Surprise had not raced since a win in the restricted Wishing Well Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Santa Anita last February.

Aqua Seaform Shame, who broke through the gate before the start, finished fourth, followed by Magic At Midnight and Lakerball. Magic At Midnight, the 4-5 favorite, was fourth in the first half-mile and was beaten 2 1/2 lengths in her stakes debut.

Biddy Duke has won 7 of 20 starts against Thoroughbreds and has earned $280,332. On Sept. 26, Biddy Duke was third in the Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at about 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.