| Saturday, August 16, 2014 Crown Queen runs to pedigree, takes the G2 Knob Creek Lake Placid By Sean Morris SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The regally bred Crown Queen prevailed in a thrilling stretch battle to take the Grade 2, $300,000 Knob Creek Lake Placid for 3-year-old turf fillies on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course by a half-length. Crown Queen, a half-sister to three-time Eclipse Award winner Royal Delta, was making her stakes debut in the Knob Creek Lake Placid in a field featuring Grade 1 Belmont Oaks winner Minorette and multiple Group 1-placed Xcellence, both trained by Chad Brown. The precipitous hike in class proved to be no challenge for the Bill Mott-trained filly, however. "To run down those fillies, it makes you wish you were ready to run a month ago [in the Belmont Oaks]," said the Hall of Fame trainer. "She ran well. She showed us that she really belongs at the top level." Owned by Besilu Stables, Crown Queen broke well and appeared keen rounding the clubhouse turn while tracking the early pace set by 12-1 long shot Duff One, as Xcellence and Minorette trailed the field. Crown Queen settled willingly on the backstretch under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, as Duff One continued to tow the field through a sensible pace of 24.09 seconds for the first quarter-mile, 48.77 for the half, and three-quarters in 1:12.71. Positions remained unchanged as the field lined up for the stretch drive, separated by only a few lengths. Duff One spurted away to a narrow advantage at the head of the lane, but was hounded by Crown Queen on her outside and Xcellence in tight quarters along the rail. With a sixteenth of a mile to go, Crown Queen forged ahead and surged to the wire in front, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.91. "It was [a rider's race]," said Mott. "In those cases, you're glad that you have a Hall of Fame rider in your court, and someone that has the experience that Johnny does. He'll make the right call as the race develops, and I think he did. We planned on not sending her to the lead; I was afraid she might run off. She broke and grabbed the bit and she was a little bit anxious the first quarter-mile but relaxed well once she headed down the backside." Crown Queen returned $4.50 on a $2 win wager and enhanced her bankroll to $293,000 with the winner's share of $180,000. Despite being passed late by Xcellence, Duff One re-rallied to earn runner-up honors. The Harlan's Holiday filly's trainer, Gary Contessa, was thrilled with her performance. "That would have been a beautiful upset," said Contessa. "That would have been wonderful. With the scratches and everything, it looked like we were going to be lone speed. Even though my filly doesn't want to be on the lead, I said to Jose [Ortiz], 'If you're going to be there, be there as slow as possible.' And she ran great. She tried hard. She's always been a gritty filly. I don't think she's ever run a bad race, but she always seems to be a little over her head. She showed up today and enhanced her pedigree, to say the least." Xcellence and Minorette, the second and third choices in the betting, rounded out the order of finish. -30-
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