Romantic Vision A Lovely Sight In G1 Spinster

LEXINGTON, KY – G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.’s homebred Romantic Vision staved off retirement for at least one more race, charging home beautifully in a sloppy running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster.

The Spinster is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Romantic Vision receiving an automatic berth in the $2 million Longines Distaff at Del Mar on Friday, November 3.

Off quickly from post 11 under Brian Hernandez, Jr., Romantic Vision settled into second behind Duchess of Duke through opening fractions of :23.96, :48.26, and 1:12.56. Midway through the far turn, Romantic Vision made her move and edged clear at the top of the stretch, completing the 1 1/8-mile sloppy dirt race in 1:49.70.

“She was there for me the whole way,” said Hernandez, Jr. “Her first step was the quickest one away from there and she put us in a great spot. She travelled really good for me the whole way, and going into the second turn, I was really confident in her. She’s just really stepped up here her last few races and she seems to be getting better and better.”

Martini Glass put forth a challenge off the far turn but was repelled and finished second, 2 lengths behind the winner and 5 1/2 lengths ahead of Blue Prize. Lockdown, You Know Too, Bar of Gold, Duchess of Duke, Tiger Moth, and Factory of Faith completed the order of finish. A Place to Shine, Katalust, Mo d’Amour, and Turkish Tabby were scratched.

While her connections debate making the trip to Del Mar, the 5-year-old daughter of Lemon Drop Kid won her second straight graded stakes race, both times on muddy/sloppy tracks, after coming up empty in four previous attempts. Her record now stands at 19-6-4-2 with career earnings of $610,086.

“I don’t know (how she’ll like Del Mar),” Arnold said. “I’ve got to talk to Mr. Humphrey on that one.”

Romantic Vision returned $14.80 to win, $7.60 to place, and $5.60 to show. Martini Glass brought back $6.80 to place and $5.20 to show, while Blue Prize paid $4.80 to show.

Be sure to check the Results page for details on every thoroughbred and quarter horse race in North America, including how our PREMIUM PICKS performed!