Charging between foes in mid-stretch, Dothraki Queen drew clear, then held to win the $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes (gr. III) Sept. 12 at Churchill Downs. The 2-year-old filly, ridden by Corey Lanerie, covered the 1 1/16 miles on the main track in 1:45.80.
Video: Pocahontas S. (G2)
Bold Quality finished a half-length back in second, with Dream Dance finishing 2 1/4 lengths back in third. There was a rider's objection when Brian Hernandez, aboard Dream Dance, claimed interference at the quarter pole against runner-up Bold Quality. Dream Dance was later placed second and Bold Quality was dropped to third.
Just Wicked, the 1-2 favorite, finished another 3 1/4 lengths back in fourth after looming boldly on the turn and battling for the lead at the head of the lane.
Bred in Kentucky by Liberty Road Stables, Dothraki Queen is a bay filly by Pure Prize—Sharaiji Blossom, by Saint Ballado. A $35,000 Keeneland September sale purchase from the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency consignment, she races for Magdalena Racing and is trained by Ken McPeek. McPeek is the principal in putting together Magdalena racing partnerships.
Dothraki Queen is now two-for-two and has earned $137,680. Sharaiji Blossom is a half sister to Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Blushing K.D., Canadian champion turf female Ambitious Cat, and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Electronic Unicorn.
Dothraki Queen paid $16.80, $6.80, and $8.60. Dream Dance paid $15 and $14.40 and anchored a $2 exacta of $212.20. Bold Quality returned $8.80.
Decked Out went to the front in the 47th running of the Pocahontas and was tracked by Princess Kennedy and Bold Quality through an opening quarter mile of :24.13. After a half in :49.71, Just Wicked began to make her move while traveling widest of all into the far turn.
After six furlongs in 1:15.30 and as the field turned for home the race was wide open as seven of the eight runners fanned out across the track. Lanerie and Dothraki Queen split horses along the inside and got to the lead.
"I had the horse, and as we came to the hole, I jut pointed her to it and she went through," Lanerie said. "A lot of 2-year-olds won't do that, but Ken had her ready."
Dothraki Queen broke her maiden first time out July 12 at Ellis Park going a mile on the turf and brought a steady string of works over the Churchill Downs strip to the Pocahontas.
"She's a really brave filly," McPeek said of his new grade II winner. "When you're in the barn with her, she's extremely intelligent; she's a little bit mean, which I like. She's always done everything right. I wasn't so sure she would take to the dirt the way she would the turf but we're thrilled. On the turn, I said to the box, 'She's going to live and die by the rail here. If she gets through we're good, but if not, we're fifth.' "
A "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), Mc Peek said that was a goal, as was possibly the Darley Alcibiades (gr. I) at Keeneland during the Lexington track's opening weekend.
" If she's doing well, she'll run," he said. "I needed a graded win I haven't had one in a while. I've been kind of quiet in that department for some reason. It seems like all of our good horses are hurt, and we've been second and third in a lot of stakes It's nice to have a nice drink of water there."
