Sweet Treasure takes command early, wires Mint Julep
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The expected speed on paper for the Grade 3, $275,000 Mint Julep Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf came from graded stakes winner Charlene's Dream and stakes winner Stylish Sue. When those two were both scratched, jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained Brad Cox came up with a new plan for Sweet Treasure.
"Obviously, there wasn't a lot of pace on paper," Cox said. "Irad said, 'If I break running, do you think she could take control of the race?' And it sounded like a good plan."
That plan unfolded to perfection. Breaking well and quickly clearing the field from the outside post to save ground, Sweet Treasure loped through uncontested early fractions under Ortiz, then had enough in reserve to turn back longshot Vina Arana and a strong rally from Proctor Street for a half-length victory in the Mint Julep.
It was the first graded stakes win for the filly, owned by Full of Run Racing and Frank Silva. She was coming off an allowance win at Keeneland after finishing third in the Albert M. Stall Memorial at Fair Grounds in her prior start.
Sweet Treasure ticked off an opening quarter-mile in 24.04 seconds on a turf course rated firm and got her half in 48.28 while still unpressured. Defending Mint Julep winner Pin Up Betty, sitting closer to the lead than normal in a race devoid of speed, attempted to turn the pressure up into the far turn, but it was Vina Arana, who had been sitting under cover just behind the leaders, who made a bold move on the inside into the stretch and briefly came to even terms with the leader. Sweet Treasure turned her back and then held sway gamely over Proctor Street, who emerged between horses for a final try.
"She relaxed nicely and responded," Cox said of Sweet Treasure. "Once again, a heads-up ride from Irad."
The time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:40.29.
After Proctor Street, it was three-quarters of a length to Vina Arana, third as the longest shot in the field. In the Stars, Medoro, Favorite Memory, and a fading Pin Up Betty rounded out the order of finish. Charlene's Dream and Stylish Sue were both listed as scratches on Saturday morning.
Audubon Stakes
The Mint Julep was the second turf stakes win on the action-packed Saturday card at Churchill Downs for the team of Cox and Ortiz. They also won the $275,000 Audubon Stakes for 3-year-olds with Touch of Fire ($3.88), who stalked the pace, took over as he pleased, and won by three lengths.
Touch of Fire, an emerging Juddmonte homebred, is now 3 for 4 lifetime, with his only blemish a second in the Black Gold in his second career start. The future appears promising for both he and runner-up Tiernanogue, who was coming off a maiden win and rallied from last in the field of eight for second.
Touch of Fire finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.81.
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