NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
The connections of La Verdad’s rivals in the 6 1/2-furlong $150,000 Iroquois for filly and mare sprinters on Empire Showcase Day must have greeted the news with dismay that trainer Linda Rice had opted to run the multiple graded stakes winner in New York when she is also entered next weekend at Keeneland in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint or Sprint. And with good reason. Though forced into the unusual position of rating, Lady Sheila Stable’s star sprinter showed her class and dominated the field of 11 fillies and mares.
Partnered with regular jockey Jose Ortiz and looking to drive her 2015 record to a perfect six-for-six while bet down to 30 cents on the dollar, La Verdad broke toward the outside of the full field from post eight of ten. Typically on the lead at every point of call in 15 prior wins, on Saturday La Verdad found herself chasing the pace in fourth, as set by longshot the trio of Women Win (37-1), Atlantic’s Smile (83-1) and Uncle Southern (52-1).
After the leaders clocked an opening quarter in 21.88 and half-mile in 44.94, La Verdad advanced into third round the far turn, then took control at the top of the stretch. The millionaire then opened up at will on her way to a comfortable 3 3/4-length victory in a final time of 1:15.96. The talented but aptly-named (and truly tricky) Tricky Zippy closed into second, followed in third by veteran campaigner Willet. Completing the order of finish were Make the Moment, Here’s Zealicious, Miss Da Point, Isabelle, Uncle Southern, Atlantic’s Smile and Women Win. [VIDEO]
NYRA/Chelsea Durand
Jose Ortiz commented on the unusual trip. “I didn’t think I would have to come from off the pace with this kind of filly; she always goes to the lead,” said Ortiz. “I didn’t break very fast, so I put her in the race and let her be comfortable, wherever she wanted to be. I think she was much the best, so it worked out very well. I sat there and asked a little bit and by the three-eighths pole she responded well. I knew I was going to pass [the two leaders], so I just had to worry about one behind me [Tricky Zippy].”
Ortiz added, “I guess I don’t have to go to the lead every time. She took a little bit of dirt and reacted very good. Linda will have to decide what she wants to do with her [next week] but it was pretty easy today, I tried to take care of her as best I could.”
Rice said, “It was a tough week; they weren’t easy decisions. But one thing I know about horse racing – it’s not easy to win [especially] if you don’t take what’s right in front of you.”
As to the Breeders’ Cup prospects for both of her pre-entered horses, La Verdad and Palace (entered to contest the Hudson in the following race), Rice said, “What we do from here, I’m sure the next couple of days will help us decide. We have several options. We might take one or both [La Verdad and Palace] of them to the Breeders’ Cup but more than likely we’ll go to the Fall Highweight with one and the de Francis Dash with the other. There’s nothing wrong with winning. We have the time to think things over.”
A 5-year-old daughter of Yes It’s True, now six-for-six in 2015, all in stakes, most recently scored a victory over Breeders’ Cup contenders Wavell Avenue and Dame Dorothy in the Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap. In her win column also this year is the Grade 2 Honorable Miss, Dancin Renee for state-breds, Grade 3 Vagrancy and Grade 2 Distaff Handicap.
Lifetime, La Verdad’s record is stunning: 16 wins from 22 starts with two seconds and a third and a grand total of 11 stakes victories, including last year’s renewal of the Iroquois, all of which have translated into a whopping bankroll of $1,440,700.
Bred by Eklektikos Stable LLC and foaled at Chester and Mary Broman’s Chestertown farm in Chestertown. La Verdad was purchased privately by Rosenblum following her second allowance victory in November 2013.
She is one of three winners from three starters out of successful producer Noble Fire (Hook and Ladder), a stakes-placed runner bred by Chester and Mary Broman and also trained by Rice, who bought her for Eklektikos for $115,000 at the 2007 OBS Spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Noble Fire is also the dam of Hot City Girl, winner of the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks for the same connections this year and earner of over $344,000. Noble Fire’s first foal N. F’s Destiny (Cuvee) is an eight-time winner of over $335,000. She currently has a Freud yearling filly, was not bred last year and this past spring went to Will Take Charge.
