Won Gazelle S. (G1) on Sept. 15 at Belmont
After winning her first three starts including the Tweedside Stakes at Belmont Park, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin decided it was time to try graded stakes competition, and as long as he was at it he decided a Grade 1 would be in order. She certainly wasn't intimidated by the classier competition, finishing only a half-length back of winner Octave in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).
In the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on August 18, she had to check slightly at the start and settled near the back of the pack before making a four-wide move that carried her to within a neck of winner Lady Joanne at the wire.
McLaughlin had weighed two options for her after the Alabama, either the Gazelle Stakes (G1) on September 15 at Belmont Park or the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) on September 22 at Philadelphia Park.
McLaughlin finally decided on the Gazelle, which would include the return of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Rags to Riches. It was McLaughlin's logic that in order to defeat "The Belle of Belmont," it would be best to catch her off a layoff.
McLaughlin's logic paid off as Lear's Princess posted a half-length victory over Rags to Riches.
"I hate that we had to beat Rags to Riches, in a way, but that gives much more credit to our filly," McLaughlin said. "The only worry with putting the blinkers on [for the Gazelle] was that she might get a little rank. We were talking about it, and she is such a classy filly and she does everything right, so we decided to put them on. Rags to Riches ran geat, which was good for that team, because there has been a lot of pressure on them."
McLaughlin said that Lear's Princess will now go straight to the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on October 27 at Monmouth Park.
Lear's Princess, unraced at two, now has four wins and two seconds in her six starts this year, and the three-year-old filly is less than a length shy of a perfect record.
October 19 - Four furlongs breezing in :50.04 at Belmont Park, track fast. 12th best of 19 workouts at the distance.
October 11 - Four furlongs breezing in :49.22 at Saratoga Race Course, dirt training track fast. Fifth best of 39 workouts at the distance.
October 5 - Four furlongs breezing in :50.99 at Saratoga Race Course, dirt training track fast. Third best of 12 workouts at the distance.