Al Shahania Racing’s Pirate’s Trove earned a hard-fought nose score over Cactus Kris to capture Sunday’s co-featured $125,000 Duchess Stakes for sophomore fillies, at Woodbine.
Trained by Michael Stidham and ridden by Florent Geroux, the Speightstown bay arrived at Woodbine off an impressive 12 ¼-length debut score at Arlington Park.
Sent to post as the even money favourite, Pirate’s Trove tracked the early speed of Zensational Bunny who set splits of :22.94 and :46.14 in the seven furlong ‘Poly’ tilt.
Zensational Bunny maintained a narrow lead at the top of the lane as Pirate’s Trove and Hillhouse High surged into contention, but Pirate’s Trove emerged with the lead between rivals and then fended off a furious rally from Presque Isle downs shipper Cactus Kris to earn her first stakes score.
Pirate’s Trove covered seven furlongs in 1:22.75.
“She was looking around a little bit the last eighth (of a mile), but she hung on,” said Geroux.
Although the filly has just two starts under her belt, Geroux is quite familiar with the talented miss.
“I’ve been working her for several weeks before she raced,” said Geroux. “She can be a little bit hyper, a little bit complicated sometimes, but she ran very fast and is a very nice filly.”
Pirate’s Trove banked $75,000 in victory while remaining perfect through two career starts.
She returned $4.10, $2.90 and $2.40, pairing with Cactus Kris ($6.20, $3.80 for a $27.40 (1-3) exactor. A 1-3-5 (Hillhouse High, $2.60 to show) triactor was worth $82.10. Madly Truly completed a $1 Superfecta (1-2-5-4) worth $197.40. Lacarolina, On Rainbow Bridge and Divine River were scratched.
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