DENALI GRAD CURALINA TOPS G1 LA TROIENNE S.

From the Thoroughbred Daily News 5/7/16  

Curlina, winner of last year’s GI Acorn S., doubled up at the highest level with a dominating performance in the GI La Troienne S. Friday. The chestnut filly was unhurried from her rail post, but soon took up a stalking position under a snug hold as Angela Renee (Bernardini) set fractions of :24.24, :48.38 and 1:12.36. Curalina moved to challenge the pacesetter nearing the stretch and bound to the lead at midstretch before powering clear to an easy win. “Once I got my position, I made sure to stay there,” explained winning rider John Velazquez. “I wanted to keep Sheer Drama in the tight spot. When we came into the lane, my horse just took off. There was no competition coming after her. She won easy.”

The La Troienne was Curalina’s first race since finishing third behind Stopchargingmaria (Tale of the Cat) and Stellar Wind (Curlin) in the Oct. 30 GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff. In addition to her Acorn victory, the Eclipse Thoroughbreds colorbearer was promoted to first when I’m a Chatterbox (Munnings) was disqualified in the July 26 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. She was third in the Aug. 22 GI Alabama S. and runner-up in the Sept. 26 GI Beldame Invitational. 

 

Friday, Churchill Downs LA TROIENNE S.-GI, $300,000, CD, 5-6, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:42.45, ft.

1–CURALINA, 118, f, 4, by Curlin
1st Dam: Whatdreamsrmadeof (GSP, $137,080), by Graeme Hall
2nd Dam: Eastern Ruckus, by Eastern Echo
3rd Dam: Andrea Ruckus, by Bold Ruckus
($125,000 Ylg ’13 KEESEP).
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-CASA Farms I, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-John R. Velazquez.
$184,140. Lifetime Record: 9-5-2-2, $1,190,940. *1/2 to Dream Spinner (Hard Spun), GSP, $145,881.

2–Engaginglee, 118, m, 5, Fusaichi Pegasus–Lee Gage, by Fit to Fight.
O/B-Paul A. Lichtefeld & Jack D. Stewart (KY); T-Dale L. Romans. $59,400.

3–Sheer Drama, 118, m, 6, Burning Roma–Riveting Drama, by Notebook.
O/B-Harold L. Queen (FL); T-David Fawkes. $29,700.

Margins: 7HF, HD, 1 3/4. Odds: 2.30, 20.20, 0.90. Also Ran: Angela Renee, Brooklynsway, Penwith. Scratched: Theogony.