Early Times Mint Julep: Miz Ida Nabs 'Daisy'

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Miz Ida nabbed 4-5 favorite Daisy Devine in final furlong of the $109,100 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) June 8 at Churchill Downs, closing from well back with a strong burst to the wire for a 1 1/4-length margin of victory (VIDEO).

The 4-year-old homebred Proud Citizen   filly went 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.37 under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, who got back-to-back scores at the Kentucky track after taking race eight aboard Sandbar for trainer Neil Howard.

Coming off a runner-up finish in allowance/optional claimer company at a mile at Churchill May 12, the 2012 Valley View Stakes (gr. IIIT) winner earned her first victory of 2013 for trainer Steve Margolis and owners Bertram, Richard, and Elaine Klein.

Soft Whisper was the front-runner in the Mint Julep, setting fractions of :24.82 and :48.29 after angling over to the fence from the far outside in a field of six older fillies and mares. Grade I victress Daisy Devine tracked along in second close behind, while the eventual winner had only one horse beaten as she saved ground fifth along the rail after breaking a step slow.

Daisy Devine, third in the May 4 Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIT) at Churchill last time out, made her move after three-quarters in 1:11.89 and took the lead heading for home as Miz Ida was commencing her run off the turn.

Swinging out to the four-path for running room, Miz Ida set down for her run and quickened impressively through a 1:36.14 mile, engulfing Daisy Devine and kicking clear in deep stretch. Colonial Flag was 1 1/4 lengths back in third, while Soft Whisper, Heavenly Landing, and Run a Risk completed the order of finish. 

Miz Ida, the second choice at odds of 7-2, returned $9.40, $3.20, and $2.60 while Daisy Devine paid $2.60 and $2.20. Colonial Flag paid $3.20.

Bred in Kentucky by the Kleins out of the Green Alligator mare May Gator, Miz Ida improved her record to seven wins and a second from 12 starts with earnings of $383,151. She is also the winner of the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes, the Indiana Downs Distaff Stakes, and the Allen LaCombe Memorial Stakes, all taken in 2012.