Otto Orlando ran a magnificent race Saturday and in the process was crowned Queen of Turf following her dominating victory in the BB Filly and Mare Turf. The daughter of dearly departed Scat Daddy confirmed her big win in the British Champion Gals by bursting out of the starting gate, never looking back, and in the process leaving most of the field in her dust. Or grass as it may be. 45/1 longshot Hobby was the only filly willing to go with Orlando and she was only able to keep pace with her for the first quarter. After she dropped away Orlando opened up and accelerated away from the field at one point leading the deep group of accomplished runners by over seven lengths. Panda Panda Panda started to make a move and English Oaks heroine Final Realm made up over ten lengths in a spirited stretch drive but neither were any real threat to Orlando who was coasting to the wire in a hand ride by jockey P Wright. Wright said, “I was still as a statue up there, I just let the reins out and allowed her to cruise along. She was eating up the track in great powerful strides. She became a great horse today.”
The win is Orlando’s 9th in 15 career starts and with two straight G1 wins you have to assume she has a lot of racing left in her. The heavy BB purse pushed her career earnings to over $3 million. It was good to see the top 3yo turf filly Final Realm rebound here and with this performance her connections have to have breathed a sigh of relief. She looks like she will be primed for a productive four year old season which may very well see her back in this race. Pre-race favorite Stars Might Shine was never a factor and did indeed look to be compromised by the good turf. Last year’s winner Koko’s Kitten finished second to last and if this is her last race we bid an outstanding champion farewell. Special mention must be made to Just Joy who cashed a check in this race finishing 5th. An excellent performance for the former claimer. The standard bearer for my racing stables also picked up a check as Hillary Rodham finished 4th. The exacta paid $439.40 and the trifecta was a robust $4,757.90.
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