Inglorious Can't Beat Kathmanblu In Rachel Alexandra

Putting her unbeaten record on the line against the best three-year-old filly in the United States, Canadian-bred Inglorious could not catch Kathmanblu but ran an impressive second in the Grade III Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds this afternoon. With the second place finish, Inglorious now has two wins and one second in her three lifetime starts, all stakes races.

Ridden again by Chantal Sutherland, Inglorious sat towards the back of the pack as the field headed into the clubhouse turn. Gran Lioness led the way, followed by Bouquet Booth and Chloe Kate as the six-horse field turned for the backstretch. The field continued as they were for most of the backstretch, but Kathmanblu began to close the gap to the front as she sat in fourth place. Inglorious continued to sit fifth in the turn, but Kathmanblu was ready to hit the front. Kathmanblu started her run exiting the final turn and Inglorious was also began to close. Gran Lioness continued to lead as the field was in ran down the stretch, but Kathmanblu and Inglorious were closing in. Kathmanblu would take the lead at the sixteenth pole as Inglorious closed from third but Inglorious could not catch up and had to settle for second. Gran Lioness completed the triactor, finishing third.

After this performance, I think Inglorious has a unique opportunity to really make some noise in some major races in 2011. Seeing how she ran with Kathmanblu today, trainer Josie Carroll could enter Inglorious in the Kentucky Oaks at the beginning of May. A month after that, Carroll could come back to Woodbine for the Woodbine Oaks, which carries a $500,000 purse. A few weeks after that is the Queen's Plate, which opens the Canadian Triple Crown. Seeing how she does in the Queen's Plate, Inglorious could go on to try the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Breeders' Stakes. Regardless of how the rest of 2011 plays out, it has been an exciting few months for Inglorious' connections and I'm really looking forward to following her for the next few years.

Posted in: Woodbine