VINERY MADISON STAKES | PURSE: $300,000 | 4-YEAR-OLDS & UP | GRADE 1 | 7 FURLONGS
Groupie Doll, who barely missed in the Lexus Raven Run last fall at Keeneland, broke through in a big way April 12 when she returned to Lexington to win the $300,000 Vinery Madison by three lengths.
Fred and Buff Bradley bred and co-own the 4-year-old daughter of Bowman's Band, who notched her first grade I victory at odds of 7-2. The filly was third in her last two graded stakes starts on the Gulfstream Park dirt, but clearly appreciated the return to Polytrack.
With Rajiv Maragh aboard, the chestnut filly moved four-wide into contention coming off the turn and overtook Whipsaw City before reaching the eighth pole. Despite drifting out, she had plenty left to hold off a late bid by 20-1 runner-up She's Cheeky and Robby Albarado. Ariana D was third, 6 1/2 lengths behind the winner, followed by 9-5 favorite Musical Romance.
The final time for seven furlongs was 1:23.76.
The early pace was set by Home Sweet Aspen, who was forced to go from the rail and sped through an opening quarter-mile in :22.67. Whipsaw City and Julien Leparoux made a bold move approaching the turn to take the lead [half-mile in :46.32] and turned the corner with the advantage. But it was short-lived as Groupie Doll had moved into contention and was ready to pounce.
Buff Bradley also trains Groupie Doll. Bred and raised on the family's Indian Ridge Farm near Frankfort, Ky., the filly is out of the Silver Deputy mare Deputy Doll.
Groupie Doll won the first three starts of her career in 2011, including the Gardenia Stakes at Ellis Park. She came with a strong late run in the Raven Run last October but missed by a head to Great Hot in her Keeneland debut. After finishing second in an optional claimer at Gulfstream in her 2012 debut in January, she ran third in both the Feb. 25 Sabin and March 17 Inside Information.
The Madison victory improved Groupie Doll's record to 5-3-2 from 12 starts and earnings of $488,756.
The winner paid $9.80, $4.80, and $4.20. The exacta (8-7) with 20-1 She's Cheeky returned $131.40. The trifecta (8-7-9) was worth $986.20.
Musical Romance, the Eclipse Award winner as champion female sprinter in 2011, was followed by Whipsaw City, Sugarinthemorning, Whisked Away, and Home Sweet Aspen.