Glencrest Farm’s HONEY RYDER (Lasting Approval) exploded in the stretch to
register a stunning four-length victory as the even-money favorite in Saturday’s
$150,000
Orchid H. (G3). Successfully defending her title in the 1 1/2-mile contest
under John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained mare flashed past the wire in
2:23 on the firm turf. The time was officially labeled a new course record.
The early pace was solid enough for a marathon on the lawn, with Potra
Clasica (Arg) (Potrillon [Arg]) sprinting to a clear lead through fractions of
:23 4/5, :48, 1:11 3/5 and 1:35 4/5. Honey Ryder rated kindly several lengths
back in fifth, just to the outside of Olaya (Theatrical [Ire]) along the rail.
As the field turned for home, a fading Potra Clasica was joined by a battling
Noble Stella (Ger) (Monsun) through 10 furlongs in 1:59 3/5. Honey Ryder then
cruised up ominously on the outside while Velazquez sat chilly, and the gray
promptly spurted to the front at the top of the stretch. Meanwhile, Olaya had
peeled off the rail and swung out wide just a length behind Honey Ryder, but she
had no answer as the eventual winner ran right away from her. Olaya put away a
game Noble Stella to finish a clear second by two lengths, and Dynamite Lass
(Dynaformer)
checked in another 1 1/2 lengths back in fourth.
“I think this is probably the best race she’s ever run,” Pletcher said,
“which is saying a lot because she’s been such a very good, consistent mare. It
seems like the older she gets, and more mature she gets, she seems to be able to
rate better and better. And that was the key to delivering this performance
today.”
“The race set up just the way I wanted,” Velazquez said. “I was able to sit
behind horses the way I wanted, and then at the half-mile pole, I moved on her,
and it was all her from there.”
Honey Ryder returned $4, $2.60 and $2.20 while spearheading the miserly $1
exotics of $6.50 (exacta), $21.20 (trifecta) and $42.10 (3-1-2-5 superfecta).
Olaya yielded $3.60 and $2.80 as the 7-2 second choice, and the 5-1 Noble Stella
gave back $3.20.
Asti (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) reported home fifth after being forced to take up
on the far turn, followed by Potra Clasica. It was another 16 lengths back to an
eased Kate Winslet (Signal Tap) and Pretty Jane (Subordination), who was also
eased and failed to finish.
In capturing her second straight Orchid title, Honey Ryder improved her
record to 22-9-1-7 with a bankroll worth $1,155,810. Grade 2-placed as a
three-year-old, Honey Ryder blossomed last year at four, racking up wins in the
E. P. Taylor S. (Can-G1), Glens Falls H. (G3), The Very One H. (G3) (setting a
new Gulfstream course record of 2:11 3/5 for 1 3/8 miles on firm turf) and the
Robert G. Dick Memorial Breeders’ Cup H. in addition to the Orchid. In her 2006
debut, she was a solid third in the Honey Fox H. (G3).
Bred in Kentucky by Wimborne Farm, Honey Ryder was sold as a yearling for
$70,000 at the Wimborne dispersal in July 2002. Produced by the Affirmed mare
Cuando Quiere, she is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Cuando Puede (Lord at War
[Arg]), herself the dam of 2005 Go for Gin S. winner Spanish Mission (Coronado’s
Quest); three-time stakes victress and multiple Grade 2-placed Cuando (Lord at
War [Arg]); and Grade 3-placed Cuanto Es (Exbourne). Cuando Quiere has since
produced a two-year-old filly named Propaganda (War Chant) and a 2006 filly by
A.P. Indy. This is the family of 1972 Kentucky Oaks (G2) heroine Sun and Snow
(*Hawaii).
Pletcher has indicated that Honey Ryder may turn up next in Kentucky.
“We’ll take a look at the Bewitch (S. [G3] on April 26) at Keeneland and play
it from there.”