Majestic d’Oro, making her first start outside of the U.S., looked right at home in taking the $102,800 Alywow Stakes, Saturday afternoon at Woodbine.
It appears the green grass of Woodbine agrees with Kentucky-bred Majestic d’Oro.
The chestnut daughter of the late stallion Speightster-Countess d’Oro, by Medaglia D’Oro, was settled into second in the early going by Rafael Hernandez as Marie MacKay surged to the lead and took her rivals through an opening quarter of :22.54 in the 6 ½ furlong turf race for three-year-old fillies.
Marie MacKay continued to lead the way through a half timed in :44.61, with Majestic d’Oro a half-length back in second, 8-5 choice Loyalty positioned third and Breathing Fire sitting fourth.
As the field navigated for the turn for home, Hernandez roused his chestnut filly and the pair quickly struck front, holding a 1 ½-length advantage at the stretch call as Christophe Clement trainee Gal in a Rush came calling to the outside and longshot Breathing Fire made her bid along the inside.
At the wire, Majestic d’Oro, bred and owned by Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, notched a 1 ¼-length victory in a time of 1:13.74 over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Gal in a Rush was second, a neck ahead of 64-1 Breathing Fire, a Signature Red filly owned by Howard Walton, with Howdyoumakeurmoney finishing fourth.
It was the second win and first stakes score from nine starts for Majestic d’Oro, who arrived at the Alywow off a fourth in the Mamzelle Stakes on May 14 at Churchill Downs.
“Last time, she ran five-eighths, so I knew she was going to break with some speed,” said Hernandez. “That was plan, just let the speed go, sit behind, and put her in gear down the lane. Everything worked well. Last night, I watched her replays, and she has a big heart down the lane in Churchill. I know a long stretch like this helps horses like that.”
Trained by Brendan Walsh, she broke her maiden in her debut, last August 19, at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Majestic d’Oro paid $13.40, $5.50 and $4.10. Gal in a Rush ($3.50, $2.70) rounded out an $45.60 exactor. Breathing Fire ($13.80) completed a $622.50 triactor, while a $1 superfecta with Howdyoumakeurmoney returned $1,399.30. Diabolic was scratched.
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