Toinette runs down Rushing Fall in Edgewood Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Toinette finished full of run down the center of the course, wearing down the embattled leaders in the final strides to register a thrilling neck decision over the previously undefeated Rushing Fall in Friday’s $200,000 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Toinette, a daughter of Scat Daddy trained by Neil Drysdale, was the least experienced member of the field in the Grade 3 test for 3-year-old fillies, having made only three previous starts, none against stakes company. She had won both of her previous outings this season, including an entry-level allowance race at Keeneland just 23 days earlier.

Toinette got bumped at the break and was reserved near the rear of the pack by jockey Flavien Prat, about eight lengths off the early pace contested by Figarella’s Queen and Rushing Fall. Toinette saved ground down the backstretch, eased off the rail into the stretch, came out a bit further near the furlong grounds while commencing her rally then surged late to run down the even-money Rushing Fall in the final strides.

Rushing Fall, a winner of all four previous starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in her 2-year-old finale, disposed of Figarella’s Queen and forged clear after five furlongs but was immediately engaged at that point by Daddy Is a Legend, the pair dueling on even terms until deep stretch. Rushing Fall bravely fought off the challenge to gain a narrow advantage approaching the wire before ultimately succumbing to the winner’s final surge while extremely game in defeat. Daddy Is a Legend finished a half-length farther back in third.

The top three finishers were followed in turn by Got Stormy, Altea, Bo Peep, Beyond Blame, Kabella, Figarella’s Queen, and Beach Waltz.

Toinette is owned in partnership by Ken Baca, Lisa and Nicholas Hawkins, and Lynne and Joseph Hudson. She completed 1 1/16 miles over a firm course in 1:41.70 and paid $12.80.

“She missed the break, but Prat didn’t panic,” said Drysdale. “She got a little stuck on the rails, but he was able to get her extricated. And she’s got such a great turn of foot. When you ask her, boom, she goes.”

Drysdale said he had a lot of confidence in Toinette to raise her up to a graded stakes off a first level allowance win.

“The race at Keeneland was a very strong race, what they call a ‘hot race,’ and she did that well, which is why we thought we could jump her into this,” said Drysdale. “She’s growing, so we’ll probably back off a little and give her a breather now.”

George Weaver, who trains Daddy Is a Legend, said he was proud of his filly in defeat.

“We got a better trip today, I thought she had a fair shot to win it,” said Weaver. “We had our sights set on Rushing Fall, they started duking it out in early stretch, and the other one got us. Both of us paid the price for engaging a little early. My filly was a little keen down the backside – I might pull the blinkers off, but she’s very talented and I just hope we can move forward to New York and run big in the races up there.”