SARATOGA SPRINGS >> At a perfect 6-for-6 at the distance, and with a win over the Spa course in a similar stakes early in the meet, Lady Shipman figured to take some beating in Sunday’s featured $100,000 Smart N Fancy Stakes. Her chief rival, according to the morning line, was Free as Bird, who sported similarly impressive numbers: 9-of-10 exacta finishes at 5 1/2 furlongs, out of the exacta just once in five Saratoga starts.
The keys to the race appeared to be whether the front-running Lady Shipman could avoid getting into a speed duel with Tahnee, and whether the pace would be fast enough to set up Free as a Bird’s late run.
It only took 1 minute and .46 seconds to find out. Yes, Lady Shipman was challenged early by Tahnee, and, yes, there was a fast pace for Free as a Bird to close into. In the end, though, it didn’t make any difference as Lady Shipman overcame both developments, romping by 2 3/4 lengths. The 1:00.46 was a new course record.
“She was impressive today, and she’s been pretty impressive every time, to be honest,”
said Kathleen O’Connell, who conditions the winner for Ranlo Investments. “She seems like she’s always got more in the tank. She handles herself well, especially for a 3-year-old. It’s always nice to win a stakes race at Saratoga.
Lady Shipman broke on top but quickly ceded the lead to Tahnee, who used her inside post to show the way through a quarter in :21.82. Lady Shipman, the 2-5 favorite, moved alongside on the turn and had a short lead straightening out. She put away Tahnee outside the furlong pole. Free as a Bird was coming on the outside, but Lady Shipman was already gone.
“We broke well, and I just sat right there,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr, who was aboard the six-time stakes winner for the first time. “She relaxed really well. I let (Tahnee) take the lead, and when I asked (Lady Shipman) she just took off and did it easy. Five and a half furlongs is great for her, and I think she can go six.”
Free as a Bird finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of Rumble Doll for the place. Tahnee, Sugar Shock and Knit One Purr Too completed the order of finish.
The victory was Lady Shipman’s eighth in 10 starts, and upped her earnings to $338,800. The Smart N Fancy was the 3-year-old daughter of Midshipman’s second victory in as many tries versus her elders.
