Las Setas Wins Wide Country By Wide Margin

LAUREL, MD – Wayne Harrison, Robert Manfuso, and Katharine Voss’ homebred filly Las Setas took control early and never looked less than the best, taking the field gate to wire in Saturday’s $100,000 Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park.

Breaking well from post 2 under Jevian Toledo at 9/1 odds, Las Setas quickly asserted herself up front and led comfortably through opening fractions of :23.20 and :46.15. Still motionless as his steed made the turn for home, Toledo gave Las Setas the cue at the top of the stretch, and the Voss trainee responded by drawing off convincingly. Kept to task in midstretch until she was well clear of her foes, Las Setas was wrapped late before crossing with a 5 1/2-length advantage in a final time of 1:22.99 for the 7-furlong sprint over the fast main track.

“This filly has shown an awful lot of ability,” Voss said. “The race, the timing, and the distance were perfect for her. When I saw the :23 and 1 (opening 1/4-mile time), I thought it was good.”

Though unable to keep up with the winner in the stretch run, the even-money favorite Our Super Freak‘s close stalking bid early was enough to hold second. A length back came Crafty’s Dream, who beat out No Mo Lady by a 1/2-length for third after making a late charge down the middle of the track. Two Dozen Roses flattened in the stretch run and took fifth over a weakened Paynterbynumbers, with Who U Gonna Call and Bella Noire completing the order of finish.

Las Setas’ win was her second straight following her maiden-breaking effort here going the same distance on January 20. The 3-year-old daughter of Seville now sports a record of 3-2-0-0 with $91,240 earned.

Las Setas returned $20.60 to win, $7.40 to place, and $5 to show. Our Super Freak brought back $3 to place and $2.60 to show, while Crafty’s Dream paid $6 to show.