NEWS
Mauralakana cuts loose in stretch to win New York Stakes
Posted: Saturday, June 21, 2008 8:34 PM
MAURALAKANA
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Joe Nevills
Mauralakana (Fr) launched a sweeping move leaving the final turn and tallied her third graded stakes win of the year with a victory in the $242,000 New York Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Belmont Park.
The Muhtathir (GB) mare bided her time along the rail in third as pacesetter Tejida led through a half-mile in :49.61. Leaving the final turn, Mauralakana moved to the outside and exploded to the lead. She dug in gamely under jockey Kent Desormeaux to hold off runner-up Dynaforce by a neck with fast-closing Hostess another neck back in third.
“It turned into a fight, a battle, and she kept going,” Desormeaux said. “She’s something else, man. She lets the rider know when she’s ready to go. It’s not ridiculous pull but she’s on the bridle. She’s well-trained.”
Trained by Christophe Clement for Robert Scarborough, Mauralakana won the 1 1/4-mile race in 2:01.31 on firm turf as the 0.65-to-1 favorite.
“We got a little spoiled because last time she won by three lengths,” Clement said. “Today, she won the race in a matter of strides. Kent [Desormeaux] knows her well and rides her with a lot of confidence.”
The New York was the tenth career victory for Mauralakana, pushing her past the million-dollar mark in lifetime earnings with $1,013,012. She entered off a three-length win in the Sheepshead Bay Handicap (G2) on May 24 at Belmont.
A half sister to Group 3-placed multiple stakes winner Petit Calva, Mauralakana is out of winning Double Bed (Fr) mare Jimkana.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Joe Nevills is a Thoroughbred Times editorial intern
