Musical Romance wins at Calder

Last year, Musical Romance missed victory by a neck in the Princess Rooney Handicap. This season, the 2011 Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter would not be denied, holding off a stiff challenge from Nicole H to take the $400,000 six-furlong event July 7 at Calder Casino & Race Course.

Sent off as the even-money favorite in a field of 11 older fillies and mares and given a perfect stalking trip in third along the rail by jockey Juan Leyva, the 5-year-old daughter ofConcorde's Tunerated patiently off a pace set by 37-1 shot Golden Mystery. That one led through a quarter in :21.80 and a half in :45.10 and hit the stretch a half-length in front, but Musical Romance was poised to pounce.

Leyva shifted her out into the two path to catch Golden Mystery just inside the eighth pole. Then Nicole H made a game run off the turn and those two dueled neck-and-neck down the stretch before Musical Romance surged under the wire a half-length the victress.

Musical Romance returned $4.20, $2.80, and $2.60, while Nicole H. paid $3.60 and $40 and Nakano brought $8. Flying Tip, Bouquet Booth, Indulgence, Golden Mystery, Leopard Rock, Wild Bout Tiffany, Beloveda, and Spectacular Sky completed the order of finish.

Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud out of the Slew Gin Fizz mare Candlelightdinner, Musical Romance improved her career record to 11-6-7 from 38 starts for trainer Bill Kaplan and Pinnacle Racing Stables, with earnings of $1,627,695.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe