Calm and Collected Colonia Takes $100,000 Hatoof

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL – From last to first, Colonia got up late to win Saturday’s $100,000 Hatoof Stakes at Arlington Park. This was the first start in the United States for the three-year-old filly and her first win since breaking her maiden at Deauville in January.

It was Cool Beans who took up the early lead and maintained that lead for much of the race. Just off Cool Beans sat Rahway with Go Noni Go and Cheeky Cherub close behind. For the majority of the race, there was very little changing of position as the fractions came in at :23.72, :47.61, and 1:12.16.  Into the stretch, the field bunched up as they raced to the finish. Cool Beans maintained his slight lead but Go Noni Go and Bridaled Temper sat close to his inside with Bet She Wins closing in on the outside. It was the late running Colonia however, who had previously sat at the back of the pack, who flew up four-wide to win it all. Cool Beans held on for second and Go Noni Go finished ahead of Bridaled Temper in a photo for third.

“Graham called me this morning and he was really excited about this filly,” said jockey Joe Bravo. “It was her first race in America, and wow. The turf course was a little fast this afternoon and she took over turning for home.”

This was the third win of the day for jockey Joe Bravo including an earlier win aboard Real Story in the G3 American Derby.

“She ran her race but just got beat by a nice filly,” Florent Geroux said of the runner-up.

Colonia returned $10.20 to win, $6.60 to place, and $4.00 to show. Cool Beans brought back $4.00 to place and $3.00 to show, while Go Noni Go paid $3.00 to show.

Scratched: Hayworth, Mountain Momma