Richetta Wins Heavenly Cause With Ease

Higgins and Bowman Stable's Richetta was a handy winner of today's $60,000 Heavenly Cause Stakes at Laurel Park by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths.

Sent off at 1-9, Richetta remained bottled up along the rail under jockey Ramon Dominguez until reaching the top of the lane, then blasted through a hole and bounded to victory in 1:24 for the seven-furlong distance. She beat five other Maryland-bred fillies, including Sea of Promises (2nd) and Dance Fee (3rd).

Richetta paid $2.20. She was an overwhelming choice in the show pool as well. Of the $66,028 wagered to show, $62,722 was riding on the daughter of Polish Numbers.

"I knew with the momentum I had my filly was going to get there, so there wasn't need for too much encouragement," Dominguez said. "She did it nicely and I thought it was good to see her coming from off the pace. Today she was in between horses and she handled it pretty well."

The Robin Graham trainee is now three-for-four lifetime, including a pair of added money victories. She won the Maryland Million Distaff at Laurel three weeks ago in convincing fashion.

"We got what we were looking for," said Graham. "I'm sure she can go longer. That's what we're working toward."

(Chart, Equibase)