LEXINGTON, Ky. - Praying continued her ascent in the female sprint ranks with her second straight graded stakes win, this time against older foes, as she edged accomplished favorite Vahva by a half-length in the Grade 2, $400,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.
The race was a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
"It’s surreal," trainer Robbie Medina said. "There’s nothing like winning a big stakes at Keeneland. It’s great."
Praying ($21.74), by Vekoma, is trained by Medina for Newtown Anner Stud. The filly was stakes-placed last year at Keeneland, but was winless in her first two starts this year - making her the longest shot on the board as she returned from a three-month freshening in the Grade 3 Prioress going six furlongs on Aug. 30 at Saratoga. She returned $44.40 for that 3 1/2-length win.
Praying wasn't quite that much of a longshot, but was still the fifth choice in a field of seven as she and John Velazquez went to the gate for the TCA, which drew a solid field led by three millionaires - Grade 1 winner Vahva, defending winner Zeitlos, and graded stakes winner Taxed.
Praying was never far off the pace set by fellow 3-year-old Long Neck Paula - and neither was Vahva, who typically likes to run at a target. Vahva tracked the leader in second, and was just a length back cutting the corner for home through the half in 45.33 seconds on a fast track.
Praying made her move in the stretch and ranged up on Long Neck Paula, who held gamely before retreating, with Vahva momentarily relegated to third between horses. But Vahva battled on, and tested the sophomore upstart to the wire, with Praying prevailing by her half-length. She stopped the clock in 1:10.49 for the six furlongs.
After Vahva, it was 1 3/4 lengths to Zeitlos, who made her customary late rally and nosed out Vodka With a Twist for third. She was followed by Long Neck Paula, Taxed, and Halina's Forte.
Praying has been a fractious sort of filly, and Medina has done plenty of paddock schooling and work with her to handle the race-day experience better. He believes that she will handle shipping to California for the Breeders' Cup.
"I think she’ll handle it," he said. "We shipped her from here to Saratoga and she was fine. I shipped her in here last Saturday and she’s been fine. She kind of got on her toes a little bit in the paddock, but I kind of expected that. As long as she doesn’t get hot, I think she’ll handle what’s thrown at her now."
Trainer Cherie DeVaux said that Vahva will also still be considered for the Filly and Mare Sprint, which is at her favorite distance of seven furlongs. Before Saturday, Vahva had made just one start at six furlongs - a fifth-place finish in her career debut in 2022 that can be forgiven. She had three starts at 6 1/2 furlongs, with a win, a second, and a third.
"Proud of her," DeVaux said. "She puts in an effort every time - that’s all you can ask for."
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