Donver Stable’s Inglorious, with Luis Contreras aboard, stamped herself as the favourite for the upcoming Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, with a commanding performance in Sunday’s $180,000 La Lorgnette Stakes.
Trained by Josie Carroll, Inglorious, sent postward the 3-5 choice in the field of seven three-year-old fillies, was reserved in sixth for most of the mile and one-sixteenth feature, as Portside and Rein in Avaricity took the field through an opening quarter in :24.37, then a half in :49.35.
The field was tightly bunched heading into the far turn as Contreras was desperately seeking a seam to make his move, as the six furlongs was reached in 1:13.62. Suddenly, Inglorious found a little room, splitting horses, as five of them turned for home on even terms.
From there, Inglorious was quick to take command, repulsed a mid-stretch outside challenge from Miss Inclined, then drew away handily, eventually scoring by one and one-half lengths over Anne’s Beauty, with Miss Inclined third and Bibi’s Doll fourth, in 1:44.19.
“Obviously, I was a little concerned coming around the turn,” said Carroll. “Everybody was bunched. Was there going to be room? But I know this filly, she’s a very confident filly. And when he (Contreras) saw the opening, I knew she’d go wherever he asked her to go.
“She’s come home and trained like a good horse. You’re always a little concerned. There’s tough company, but you’re hoping she’s going to improve in her three-year-old year. And now she’s come back to be herself again.”
Last year, the Ontario-bred daughter of Hennessy-Noble Strike was a perfect two for two, winning her debut in the six-furlong Fanfreluche Stakes, after a slow start from the gate, then romping in the Ontario Lassie at one and one-sixteenth miles.
This year, with thoughts of a possible run in the Kentucky Oaks, Inglorious finished an excellent second to Kathmanblu in the Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds in New Orleans in February, but then disappointed as the favourite in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks on March 26, finishing fourth.
Given a break, she returned to the work tab a month later at Keeneland, then had two five-furlong breezes at Woodbine in preparation for the La Lorgnette, named for the Windfields Farm filly who captured the 1985 Oaks and Queen’s Plate.
The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, Canada’s premier race for Canadian-bred three-year-old fillies, will be contested June 5 at one and one-eighth miles. Not only is Inglorious now the favourite for the filly classic but she was also the Winterbook favourite for the Queen’s Plate on June 26.
Inglorious picked up $120,000 for the victory to push her career bankroll to $350,000. She paid $3.30, $2.30 and $2.10, combining with Anne’s Beauty ($4.60, $3.40) for a $16.60 (2-4) exactor. A 2-4-7 (Miss Inclined, $2.90 to show) triactor was worth $60.40 while a $1 Superfecta (2-4-7-3) came back $157.15.
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