Twirling Queen adds another stakes victory in Sen. Ken Maddy
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Twirling Queen’s collection of turf stakes wins this year now stretches from coast-to-coast.
After winning the Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs in May and the Coronation Cup at Saratoga in July, Twirling Queen won for the sixth time in her 10-race career in Friday’s $201,000 Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares at five furlongs on turf at Del Mar.
Twirling Queen ($5) was sent off favored and had an ideal trip that led to a narrow win over a fast-closing Just Nails.
The Sen. Ken Maddy was Twirling Queen’s California debut.
Ridden by Luis Saez, Twirling Queen stalked 8-1 Sassy Nature and 20-1 Shoshanah through a quick opening quarter-mile in 21.80 seconds. Racing on the inside, Twirling Queen had ample room to close ground approaching the stretch when Sassy Nature drifted out. Twirling Queen took the lead in early stretch and led by a length with a furlong remaining.
Just Nails, who closed from fifth in a field of seven, rallied between rivals in the stretch to finish second by a neck under jockey Frankie Dettori.
“He got to the fence before me,” Dettori said of Saez.
Just Nails (4-1) finished two lengths clear of 4-1 Stay and Scam. Kissed by Fire, Sassy Nature, Shoshanah, and Omnipontet completed the order of finish.
Just Nails and Stay and Scam are trained by Doug O’Neill.
Twirling Queen was timed in 56.42 seconds, and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91, which equals her career best.
“It went perfect for us,” Saez said. “We had space at the rail and took advantage.”
Twirling Queen, a 3-year-old filly by Twirling Candy, races for GU Racing Stable and trainer Jose D’Angelo. She has earned $499,438. The Maddy win was worth $120,000.
On Friday morning, D’Angelo was encouraged when he noticed Twirling Queen to be in bright spirits in the stables.
“She was happy and ready,” he said.
D’Angelo said that Twirling Queen will start in turf sprints at Gulfstream Park in the coming months.
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