Miss Keller makes up for the past loses in a huge way after winning the E.P. Taylor Stakes
The 5-year-old mare, Miss Keller hasn’t had a great 2011 season where she either finished 5th or 6th in her last 5 starts in this season marked her first win of the year in the Grade 1, E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine over a distance
of 1 ¼ miles on 16 October, 2011.
The daughter of Montjeu, out of Ingozi by Warning, Miss Keller woke up in a huge way at Woodbine where she provided a heart pounding finish in a three horse blanket finish.
Under jockey John Velazquez, Miss Keller was one of the eighth European invaders in the field, and it was a welcoming win because the mare had lost 7 straight races, capturing the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes 13 months ago at Woodbine.
In the beginning of the race, Miss Keller started off in the 10th position for the opening six furlongs, as the pace setter Mahbooba under jockey Jamie Spencer got to the front from the get go, and took the lead from Strawberrydaiquiri.
Ridden by William Buick, I’m a Dreamer and Laughing were also prominent in the start of the race going till the six furlong mark, but the pace were slow hence the fractions, which for the opening quarter mile were 25.34 seconds, half mile in 51.06 seconds,
1 minute and 16.07 seconds in six furlongs.
Going in to the head of the Woodbine stretch, I’m a Dream woke up and took the lead from Mahbooba, and with head down and neck stretched, he started driving for the wire.
However, it wasn’t going to be a one horse show, as Miss Keller loomed into contention when she appeared on the outside of the field with intent to challenge the getaway leader.
Just when it was looking like a two way horse race, Dream Peace rallying powerfully from far back was in contention as well under jockey Gerald Moose.
Christophe Soumillon, who was aboard Adventure Seeker, also came charging through the lane, which pushed I’m a Dream on the inside, but the final few strides made the difference as Miss Keller showed determination and kept coming to get the favourable head
bob to win the race.
Tags: