Wild Beauty's wide rally gets Natalma Stakes victory
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - English invader Wild Beauty punched her ticket to the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar with an impressive score in Sunday’s Grade 1 Natalma, a BC Win and You’re In qualifier, at Woodbine.
Wild Beauty ($4.90) missed the break under Frankie Dettori before setting in well off a fast pace in the one-mile turf event for 2-year-old fillies.
Cardio Princess led the way over a course labeled good while being chased by three rivals. Wild Beauty ended up three-wide on the turn and then mounted a furious wide rally in the stretch to win going away by 2 1/4 lengths over a closing Pizza Bianca in a time of 1:35.08.
Eminent Victor finished third. She was followed by Mrs. Barbara, Diabolic, Guileful, Ready Lady, Baksheesh, Royal Engagement, and Cardio Princess.
Dettori said Wild Beauty jumped at the start of the one-turn contest.
“She was squeezed and she just backed out of that pocket,” Dettori said. “And then, for my luck, they went way too fast. By the time I got to the quarter pole, she picked it up really well.”
Dettori said a two-turn Breeders’ Cup race at Del Mar could be a much bigger challenge for the daughter of Frankel.
“It could be different,” Dettori said. “It’s a full field of 14 runners. You rely very much on the draw. You need a little bit of luck. She’s definitely good enough to take part. I’m sure she’ll go now. She’s got the free entry.”
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Wild Beauty earned $240,000 of the $401,600 purse for owner-breeder Godolphin.
*** There were two five-furlong inner-turf stakes stakes for 2-year-olds on Sunday’s card.
Diamond City ($3.60) captured the $130,750 Ontario Racing by 1 3/4 lengths over a troubled Silent Runner, in a time of :57.68 over the firm ground. Emma-Jayne Wilson rode Diamond City for D J Stable and trainer Mark Casse.
Derrynane ($5.50) rallied stoutly on the outside under Joel Rosario to take the $126,750 Woodbine Cares for fillies by 2 3/4 lengths over Fifth Anniversary. Trained by Christophe Clement for Waterville Lake Stables, Derrynane covered the distance in :57.04.