Coachwhip Wallops Arlington Matron Field

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL – Calumet Farm’s homebred Coachwhip took control near the top of the stretch and kicked away strongly to wallop her foes in Saturday’s $100,000 Arlington Matron Stakes (G3) at Arlington Park.

Breaking from post 6 under Tyler Baze as the 9/5 co-favorite, Coachwhip sat just behind the early leader and other co-favorite Daddy’s Boo through opening fractions of :24.99, :49.18, and 1:13.99. Ranging up alongside the pacesetter at the top of the stretch, Coachwhip soon poked her nose ahead and began to pull away. Despite Daddy’s Boo drifting out slightly and making contact, Coachwhip kicked away under a drive to win convincingly. The Jack Sisterson trainee hit the wire 3 1/2 lengths much the best in a final time of 1:51.80 for the 1 1/8-mile event over the fast all weather track.

“I had all the confidence in the world in Tyler Baze with her,” Sisterson said. “I didn’t have to say a word to him, he knows her so well. Going down the backside near the 1/2-mile pole, he really got her to relax, and at that point, we were in a perfect spot, so we knew if we didn’t win, there’s no excuses.”

Strawberry Tequila came rallying from near the rear to take second by 3/4 of a length over Na Pali Spirit, with that same distance back to Tough Irma in fourth. Daddy’s Boo weakened in the final furlong to fifth, finishing just a head past Snuck Out to complete the order of finish.

Four horses scratched: Mo’s M V P, Oh So Terrible, Youngest Daughter, and La Force – the latter choosing to stay home at Santa Anita Park, where she won Saturday’s Santa Maria Stakes (G2).

Coachwhip’s win was her first in a stakes event and improved her overall record to 15-4-3-4. The 5-year-old daughter of So You Think has now earned $181,230 in her career.

“We’ll get her home and discuss things with the farm,” Sisterson said. “She’s such a hard-trying filly. She always wears her heart on her sleeve, as you could see today, and she always gives us her best effort. She’s very versatile, so we’ll have some options with her. We’ll get her back home to Keeneland and see how she is doing and go from there.”

Coachwhip returned $5.80 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3 to show. Strawberry Tequila brought back $11.80 to place and $4.20 to show, while Na Pali Spirit paid $2.60 to show.