Wine Princess goes out a winner in Falls City

As the 4-1 third choice among eight rivals, Wine Princess paid $10.80 to win.

Don't Tell Sophia, the 8-5 favorite, closed belatedly for second, 1 1/4

lengths better than the 9-5 Flashy American, who lacked the necessary rally

after racing within striking range.

My Option, Magic Hour, Ice Cream Silence, Molly Morgan and Owl Moon came next

under the wire. Fiftyshadesofhay was scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, Wine Princess was

purchased by her owner for $475,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling

sale. Out of Azeri, the daughter of Ghostzapper is the result of a union between

two Horses of Year. Azeri was produced by Australian Group 3 winner Zodiac Miss

and has also reared Grade 2 runner-up Arienza. This is the extended family of

multiple Grade 1-winning turf miler Silic.

Wine Princess captured her stakes bow, last year's Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks, and

concluded her sophomore season with a second in the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks. The

chestnut opened 2013 with an optional claiming victory at Churchill Downs in

late April and placed in four stakes, including the Grade 1 Spinster, before

returning to the winner's circle in the Falls City.

"This filly's been special from the get-go," Margolis said. "Becky and Jimmy

(Winemiller) have been so good. They've always said 'Do what's best for the

filly.' ...For us, it couldn't have ended on a happier note."

"It was emotional because I've ridden her every time she's run," Bridgmohan

said of the career finale. "I've was around her when she first got here -- I

worked her first half-mile. She's run hard every time and it's gratifying to get

one of these for her. She deserves it."

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