New Yorkers Nab Both Divisions of Woodbine's Natalma

(From track report)
New York invaders One and Twenty and Fortuitous rallied to score impressive wins in the two divisions of the featured Natalma Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies, over one mile on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, Saturday at Woodbine.

One and Twenty collared the pacesetting Swift of Flight in deep stretch and drew off to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths in the $179,200 first division.

Trained by Richard Violette, One and Twenty was ridden by the incredibly hot Todd Kabel, who notched his seventh stakes win in the last 10 added money events at Woodbine.

Favoured Sand Springs, who was also in contention turning for home, outnodded Little Miss Pamela for the show spot, a further half-length back, as the top four staged a furious battle down the lane.

The time for the mile was 1:35.03.

It was the second win in a row for One and Twenty, a daughter of Honour and Glory, who shipped to Woodbine off a maiden route turf win Aug. 4 at Saratoga, following two earlier attempts on the dirt.

One and Twenty picked up a purse of $101,520 for owner Klaravich Stables and paid $10.50, $6.20 and $4.00 across the board, combining with 15-1 longshot Swift of Flight ($13.50, $9.20) for a $144.50 (1-5) exacta.

In the $176,200 second division, odds-on Fortuitous and jockey Robert Landry took the overland route, powering up seven wide turning for home, then coming on to nail Sweet Storm Creek in the final jumps to win by a length. Pacesetting 69-1 longshot Wawota hung on gamely for third in the mile test, which was clocked in 1:36.54.

"It was very exciting. At the top of the stretch I saw she was panned wide on the racetrack I wasn't sure if she was going to be able to straighten up and come home like that," said John Booker, assistant trainer for James Bond. "She ran game all the way to the wire and Landry rode a great race on her. We're very happy for her. I thought she'd come home strong but I didn't expect her to be that far out of it down the backside."

Fortuitous, a $140,000 Keeneland yearling purchase last September by owner William Clifton Jr., debuted in sparkling fashion at Saratoga on Aug. 19, winning a maiden turf contest by three-quarters of a length. She's still perfect after two races.

"I had a lot of horse halfway around the turn," said Landry. "There were all starting to bottle up. I wasn't going to take a chance and go inside. I opted for the safer route. That way I wouldn't stop her. She pretty much did it all on her own."

Fortuitous, a daughter of Dynaformer, scooped up the winner's share of $102,420 and paid $3.90, $2.70 and $2.70, combining with second choice Sweet Storm Creek ($5.80, $4.40) for a $21.70 (7-5) exacta.

(Chart, Equibase)