My Miss Aurelia edges past Questing to win the million dollar Cotillion Stakes
Steven Asmussen trained 3-year-old filly, My Miss Aurelia, was up against the might of, Questing, but the Smart Strike filly kept the multiple grade 1 winner honest throughout the race, and in the end prevailed by a head to keep her undefeated run intact
by winning the Grade 1, $971,200 Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing – Philadelphia Park on 22 September, 2012.
Owned and bred by Stonestreet Stables in partnership with George Bolton, My Miss Aurelia looked impressive as a juvenile, when she bagged the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies against young fillies, but she looked even more impressive against older
fillies and mares.
Kiaran McLaughlin trained, Questing, was the outright favourite after coming off back-to-back victories in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes, and was sent as the 2 to 5 favourite, against My Miss Aurelia’s 9 to 5 price.
However, little mattered when just four sophomore fillies flew off the gates in the 1 1/16 mile contest, and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. over Questing showed intent right from the outset.
The duo went for the lead, and Corey Nakatani aboard My Miss Aurelia, was happy to concede in the early stages of the race.
Just off the rail, Questing maintained a 1 ½ length lead over My Miss Aurelia, as the former carved fractions of 25.19 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 50.04 seconds for half-mile, and 1 minute and 14.72 seconds for the six furlong marker.
While getting the pace setup she wanted, Questing’s advantage was compromised when My Miss Aurelia went in for the kill, and started closing in with intent rounding the far turn.
At this moment, Dixie Strike and Moment in Dixie started retreating, and My Miss Aurelia started pressing Questing, who has now left the bend to go a little wider.
My Miss Aurelia came right on top of Questing and under a firm hand ride from Nakatani, and proved to be slightly better in the closing quarters, which aided to a terrific finish.
"Our plan was to go ahead, let her do her thing and get her in a high position on the back side," Nakatani said. "We wanted to save our best for last. That's what we did today.''
My Miss Aurelia is undefeated in 6 career starts, and would live to make it 7 in 7 if she goes on to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic.
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