Race of the Week
Leader nailed at the wire in La Verendrye! (From June 1, 2008)
LaVerendrye goes to Polynesian Kitty
Winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Matron, Polynesian Kitty trained by Jamie Ness out of Canterbury Park in Minnesota stole the second stakes race of the year from the speedster Des Moines in the final strides.
Des Moines, winner of the 2007 Chantilly for 3-year-old fillies, came back in her 4-year-old year to do the same, however just missed at the wire. Des Moines, trained by Ray Tracy, out of Prairie Meadows in Iowa, opened up a seven length lead on the field down the backstretch. Turning for home it looked like the daughter of Evansville Slew had it wrapped up but got caught in the final strides by the winner.
Polynesian Kitty, a 4-year-old daughter of High Yield, sat in behind the leaders Des Moine and Alberta invader R Lucinda. Around the bend even rider Jake Olesiak did not believe they could close the gap, however the filly had other ideas. "I didn't think we could catch her, but when you ask her (Polynesian Kitty), this filly gives you everything she's got," said Olesiak, "It's easy to ride horses like that."
R Lucinda, trained by Stuart Simon, sat second behind the leader down the back and was able to hang on for third.
Could there be another clash of Des Moines and Polynesian Kitty? The next stakes race for older fillies and mares is the Canada Day on Tuesday, July 1.
