Miss Lucifer Bedevils Foes in Challenge Stakes

Miss Lucifer sprang a 20-1 surprise when she drew away for an impressive 1 1/4-length win in the VC Bet Challenge Stakes (Eng-II) in the opening race at Newmarket Oct. 20.

The Gainsborough Stud homebred was supplemented to the race for 7,500 pounds earlier in the week, and she rewarded her faithful with a stylish win over stakes winners Al Qasi and Toylsome. The latter of the two was making his first start since pulling a 100-1 shocker in the Prix de la Foret (Fr-I) on Oct. 6.

The filly, trained by Barry Hills and ridden by his son Michael, always was within a few lengths of longtime leader Toylsome. As the field of 15 runners entered the final two furlongs, Hills sent the 3-year-old filly to the front, and the pair took command with just under a furlong left.

Despite hanging left and causing some minor interference for Al Qasi, Miss Lucifer was well clear of the eventual runner-up, drawing off to win easily. Toylsome held on for third, two lengths further back.

Heavily-favored Cesare was never a factor, trailing home in last. Final time for the seven furlongs was 1:25.56.

Miss Lucifer is a bay filly by Noverre out of Devil’s Imp, by Cadeaux Genereux.  Her female family has produced numerous group I winners and champions, including One Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) victress Virginia Waters, champion and Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner In the Wings, Vodafone Derby (Eng-I) winner High-Rise, and Rothmans International Stakes (gr. IT) winner Infamy.