Falconet (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Falconet (Uncle Mo) scored a decisive victory Sunday in the $100,000 Top Flight Invitational S. going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct. It was the second black-type victory of her career.
“Every black-type win we can get for a filly is so important for their future broodmare value, especially when they can do it on racing’s toughest circuit here in New York,” CHC’s Regional Manager of the Americas Christie DeBernardis said.
“The stretch back out from a mile to a mile and an eighth was key. She just relishes the extra distance. Jose gave her a fantastic ride and she beat a very nice filly in Kathleen O., who was one of the leaders heading into last year’s Kentucky Oaks. We are thrilled.”
Dispatched as the 3-1 second choice behind heavily favored graded stakes winner Kathleen O., Falconet received the perfect trip from rider Jose Lezcano. She was shifted out early to stalk the leader through respectable early fractions. The bay launched a bid at the five-sixteenths pole and kicked into high gear late, holding off a late bid from the favorite to win by 2 1/4 lengths. CHC Inc.’s Let Her Inspire U was fourth while making her first try against open stakes company here.
“I thought Jose did a great job of helping her out of there going into the first turn and sat just behind the speed,” said Byron Hughes, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
“He saved ground throughout, tipped her out around the far turn and was able to pull away a little bit at the end.”
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