Favorite Anne's Beauty found her best stride past mid-stretch to collar front-running Honey Chile close to home and register a two-length win in the $157,363 Duchess Stakes on Woodbine's Polytrack July 30 (VIDEO).
Anne's Beauty, owned by Robert Smithen, took full advantage of the scratch of 2010 Canadian juvenile filly champion Delightful Mary by stewards to pick up her first win in 2011 from four tries for trainer Paul Attard.
Attard is enjoying a 33% strike rate at the current Woodbine meet. Ridden by Patrick Husbands, Anne's Beauty ran seven furlongs in 1:22.83 while defeating eight 3-year-old filly rivals.
Bred in Kentucky by Richard Forbush and Doug Oliver, Anne's Beauty is by Artie Schiller out of the Sea Wall mare Lucky Streak. She cost $30,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in September 2009.
Honey Chile, under a strong hold by Emile Ramsammy, took over from Elusive Pearl after an opening quarter mile of :23.44. She led at the half-mile point by one length in a time of :46.07. Honey Chile continued to lead Elusive Pearl, ridden by Scott Spieth, past mid-stretch.
Anne's Beauty, fourth early after steadying at the start, raced on the outside of the leaders while third or fourth as the 2-1 choice. The bay filly responded to urging from Husbands in upper stretch to challenge, but was still third at the furlong marker. Anne's Beauty closed strongly to get command late.
"The first half was pretty slow, but it worked out perfect," said Husbands. "By the time I reached the five-eighths pole, I was on the outside and I was sitting on a lot of horse. She did everything professionally. When I got after her at the top of the lane, she kicked on."
Peachtree Stable's Honey Chile, in her Woodbine debut for trainer Wayne Catalano, held second by 1 1/2 lengths over Elusive Pearl.
Anne's Beauty earned her first victory since the Glorious Song Stakes at Woodbine in her final start of the 2010 season Nov. 14. Second to Queen's Plate winner Inglorious in the La Lorgnette Stakes May 15, she was coming off a fifth-place finish in an optional claiming allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on turf June 11.
Her career mark now stands at 3-1-2 in seven tries with earnings of $263,359.
Under high weight of 119 pounds, Anne's Beauty paid $6.20, $3.60, and $2.60. Honey Chile returned $5.60 and $4, and completed a $32.90 exacta. Elusive Pearl was $4.40 to show in her stakes debut for trainer Michael Trombetta.
Our Lady in Red was fourth, followed by Heavenly Pride, My Perfect Ten, Miss Inclined, Bibi's Doll, and I Fly High. Trip Mom was also scratched by stewards.
