Quebec Quells Competition in Krantz Memorial

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Connie and Richard Snyder’s Quebec quelled the competition with a gutsy gate-to-wire performance in Saturday’s $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Breaking from the rail under Adam Beschizza as the 9/5 favorite, Quebec asserted herself along the inside and held a slim advantage heading into the clubhouse turn. While Makealitlemischief tracked from second, Quebec posted opening fractions of :23.30, :48.09, and 1:12.45 while still under a hold.

Provided some slack in the rein as she neared the top of the stretch, Quebec began to extend her lead while Beschizza remained motionless. Given the cue to go with a furlong remaining, Quebec soon had to dig deep and fight back when Don’t Tell Marge and Stave made late runs inside the final 1/16.

Fully extending herself at the wire, the Joe Sharp-trained Quebec crossed a neck in front in a final time of 1:42.28 for the 1 1/16-mile event over the firm turf course.

“She’s definitely a filly who doesn’t lack speed,” Beschizza said. “Today it was just a question of how to get to the lead. I was speaking to Joe (trainer Sharp) before the race and he said to just let her run. She seemed to get in front pretty easily and well within herself and we just hung on late.”

Don’t Tell Marge headed Stave for second, while Makealitlemischief weakened in the stretch drive to finish a 1/2-length ahead of Area for fourth. La Signare, Smart Emma, Divine Queen, and Avie’s Mineshaft completed the order of finish. Notapradaprice and Lounge Act were scratched.

Quebec’s win was her first since taking the Powder Break Stakes at Gulfstream Park on April 27, 2019, and improved her record to 30-7-7-3. The 6-year-old daughter of Into Mischief, purchased for $105,000 in the Keeneland November 2019 sale, has now earned $343,601 in her career.

“Connie and Richard (Snyder) called me to say they were very optimistic with this mare,” Sharp said. “When we got her we just wanted to get a line on her and freshen her up a little. We did that and gave her a sprint race. Today we knew we had her in a good spot. I didn’t expect her to be on the lead the whole way herself, but I told Adam (jockey Beschizza) to not take anything from her. He managed it well and got the job done. I’m usually not an advocate of the one hole, but with a horse like her and her running style I was pretty confident. We’re looking forward for the rest of the year with her, including the next one here at Fair Grounds (Albert M. Stall Memorial on February 15).”

Quebec returned $5.60 to win, $3.80 to place, and $3.20 to show. Don’t Tell Marge brought back $10.40 to place and $7.40 to show, while Stave paid $5.20 to show.