Sharp out of the gate with leading jockey Jose Ortiz, Paulassilverlining settled in second position early in the seven-horse field, tracking a pacesetting Madam Aamoura through an opening quarter-mile in 22.93 seconds and a half in 45.42.
The 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper gained ground on the leader through the turn and, angled out by Ortiz from her inside position, effortlessly assumed control at the quarter-pole. Paulassilverlining drew clear in the lane away from the even-money favorite, Cavorting, who turned in a late run to finish second.
Paulassilverlining completed the seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares in 1:22.01.
“She was great,” Ortiz said after the race. “We broke great and I sat in second outside the 6 horse [Madam Aamoura] and by the three-eighths pole, I decided to see what I have and she responded very well for me. From the quarter-pole to the three-sixteenths pole she put her head down and exploded.”
Sent off as the 2-1 second post-time choice, the victor returned $6.40 for a $2 win wager.
Winner of the 2014 Grade 2 Matron and the 2015 Ruthless, the Distaff is the first win going further than six furlongs for Paulassilverlining, who hasn’t finished worse than fourth in 12 lifetime starts with a record of 5-3-2 and total earnings of $518,950.
“Paula’s run well going six, seven, a mile; she always tries, always shows up,” said winning trainer Michelle Nevin, who also saddled By the Moon to a fourth-place finish.
Bar of Gold checked in third, followed by By the Moon, My Savannah Belle, La Madrina, and Madam Aamoura.
