The well-regarded juvenile filly Unlimited Budget received a brilliant ride from John Velazquez to win the $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Aqueduct by a length.
The Mike Repole-owned/Todd Pletcher-trained filly was sent off as the second choice at even-money, slightly higher than 4-5 favorite Emollient. Facing only three rivals, Unlimited Budget got off to a good start at the beginning of the nine-furlong race and soon took command of the early advantage. Giant Cats Eye was racing on the outside in second, while Emollient was down along the rail in third and eager to go on. Flash Forward was the trailer.
Following an opening quarter mile in :24.36 seconds, Emollient found racing room along the rail and shot through to challenge Unlimited Budget for the lead. Together, the pair ran the half-mile in :48.73 seconds, with Unlimited Budget leading the favorite by a neck. However, rounding the far turn, Velazquez asked his filly for run, and Unlimited Budget responded by opening up on Emollient and re-claiming the rail, forcing the favorite to shift outside for racing room.
Entering the homestretch, Unlimited Budget held the lead by about a length and a half, but Emollient was staying on strongly and loomed a threat for the victory. The two fillies dueled through the length of the stretch, but Emollient was never able to get closer than about a length, which was the margin that Unlimited Budget held to the wire.
The final time was 1:52.16 seconds. Giant Cats Eye and Flash Forward completed the order of finish.
-Keelerman
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