Unbeaten My Lordship Romps in Hill 'n' Dale

(from Woodbine report)
Undefeated My Lordship came up with another sterling performance, this time in the inaugural $109,500 Hill 'n' Dale Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Woodbine.

With Todd Kabel simply along for the ride, My Lordship, a dark bay daughter of Lord Avie, was sent postward the overwhelming 3-5 choice in the 1 1/16-mile event. She made her favoritism stand up easily, coasting to a 6 ½-length score, in 1:43.63. It was the Kentucky bred's fourth consecutive win, her first stakes victory and her most impressive performance to date, considering the opposition.

Pandora's Secret and jockey Jono Jones went immediately to the front, setting reasonable fractions of :23.43, :47.64 and 1:12.89. But My Lordship was stalking the leader to the outside and appeared poised to pounce at any time.

Going around the far turn, Kabel and his charge circled the pacesetter and the race was essentially over. The 3-year-old filly quickly drew away down the stretch under mild urging. Sweet Problem, fresh off a win in the Alywow Stakes, came on for second, with Pandora's Secret third.

"She is a nice, nice filly," said conditioner Malcolm Pierce, of the Live Oak Plantation color-bearer. "She goes on the turf, she goes on the dirt – she does whatever you ask of her. She'll get a nice rest for her next start."

Aside from the winner's share of the purse, My Lordship also earned her connections a choice of three stallion services, courtesy of Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. They'll have their choice of former turf great Theatrical, whose current fee is $75,000, grade 1 winner El Corredor, a $20,000 fee, or to Doneraile Court, a son of Seattle Slew who stands for $15,000.

Once the winner has chosen its stallion, Sweet Problem's connections will select from the remaining two sires, with the connections of Pandora's Secret receiving the other one.

"I think the success of Woodbine racing and Woodbine Entertainment is a model for the industry," said John G. Sikura, president of Kentucky's Hill 'n' Dale Farm, on-hand to make the post-race presentation. "Even though I live and work in the United States, I'm still a proud Canadian."

My Lordship paid $3.50, $2.20 and $2.10, combining with Sweet Problem ($3, $2.50) for a $9.50 (6-2) exacta. Pandora's Secret ($2.70) completed a modest $29.30 trifecta.

(Chart, Equibase)