Upperline downed seven others to win the Grey Goose Bewitch Stakes
The 5-year-old daughter of Maria’s Mon, Upperline, finally made it right in the Grade 3 Grey Goose Bewitch Stakes over at Keeneland’s turf course, going over a distance of 1 ½ miles, Upperline grabbed the winner with a late stretch run under jockey James
Graham.
The mare, Upperline, failed to post a winner in her last two appearances, in which one was the second place finish in the Rood and Riddle Dowager also at Keeneland turf course on 23 October, 2011, where she lost to winner, Senada, at about 1 ½ miles.
Revenge was on the cards, as Senada was going to be a threat for Upperline yet again in the Bewitch Stakes.
Trained and co-owned by Michael Stidham in partnership with John Adger, Oakcrest Farm and Stone Farm, Upperline was able to shake off the slow place to run down Michelle Nihei trained, Woodford Belle, to win the 1 ½ miles at Keenealnd by 1 ½ lengths on 26
April, 2012.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable, Upperline guided by jockey James Graham broke from the gate swiftly and assumed the lead to cover the opening quarter mile in 26.96 seconds.
Shimmering Moment ridden by Robby Albarado, was on Upperline’s tail, and after the first quarter mile, she was released into the lead, as Upperline was pegged further back as Senada got to the front as well in second.
Shimmering Moment was not in the mood to post quick fractions, as she ambled along to cover the half mile distance in 54.01 seconds, six furlongs in 1 minute and 19.79 seconds and covered the mile distance in 1 minute and 44.66 seconds.
After the lethargic pace to the race, Upperline, out of the Caerleon mare Snowflake, was placed in third coming off the bend into the stretch, and at that point Senada under jockey Javier Castellano was leading the pack.
Coming into the mid stretch, despite slow fractions, Upperline had enough to go past Senada and post a victory over the Woodford Belle, who closed in well for second, as Upperline made it to the wire in 2 minutes and 33.28 seconds.
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