Afleeting Lady had things her way in the Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park Oct. 27 as she raced slightly off the pace set by All Due Respect before drawing clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1/2 lengths (VIDEO).
The 5-year-old mare, a daughter of Afleet Alex out of 2011 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Oatsee, ran the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.17.
"That was an easy trip," said winning jockey Joel Rosario. "It looked like (All Due Respect) was the speed. My horse has speed, too, but I just let them go and let my horse get comfortable, and she was really game today."
All Due Respect carved opening fractions of :23.39, :46.17, and 1:10.27 to open a 1 1/2-length advantage after six furlongs.
The victory was the second straight for Afleeting Lady, who came in off a triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park Sept. 3 by 4 1/2 lengths. Afleeting Lady, who was making her first start for new owners Alpha Delta Stables and Richard Santulli, now sports a record of 6-4-2 from 19 starts and earnings of $374,822. She is trained by Dale Romans.
Previous owners James Lauffer and W.D. Cubbage bred the winning bay mare in Kentucky.
With her victory in the Turnback the Alarm, Afleeting Lady became the fourth graded winner representing Oatsee. By Unbridled, Oatsee also is the dam of 2011 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Shackleford and New York grade I winner Lady Joanne, plus grade III winner Baghdaria.
As the 3-1 second choice, Afleeting Lady paid $8, $4.10, and $3.30 and topped the 8-1 exacta at $40. 60. All Due Respect paid $5.70 and $4.20. Nefertini, 2 1/4 lengths farther back in third, paid $6.40 to show.
Following Nefertini were Go Unbridled, 5-2 favorite R Gypsy Gold, Arena Elvira, Maristar, and Catch a Thief.
