Alicia Wincze is the turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
Midday triumphs in Filly and Mare Turf
Posted by Alicia Wincze on November 6, 2009
Juddmonte Farm’s Midday overtook pacesetter Visit along the rail in the lane and drew off under jockey Thomas Queally for a one-length win over Grade I winner Pure Clan and upset defending race winner and champion Forever Together in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
A 3-year-old daughter of Oasis Dream, Midday had defeated champion Rainbow View in the Group I Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in August. That same top form was on display Friday as she began gathering her momentum halfway down the backstretch and was in full stride when she hit the head of the lane.
Forever Together unleashed her classic rally from the back of the eight-horse field but the five-year-old mare couldn’t reel in her younger rival, who stopped the teletimer in 1:59.14 for the 1 1/4-mile race over a firm turf.
Pure Clan put in her own run along the rail to get second with Forever Together winning the battle for show by a neck over Visit.
Trained by Henry Cecil, Midday was making her first career start in the United States after running ten times in Europe.
