Coco as in Chanel upsets Stormy Blues
Photo of Coco as in Chanel by Laurie Asseo.
From a Maryland Jockey Club release
Three weeks after breaking her maiden over the same track and distance, Heider Family Stables LLC homebred Coco as in Chanel returned with a front-running 16-1 upset of Saturday’s $100,000 Stormy Blues Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at historic Pimlico Race Course.
Sent straight to the lead by jockey Angel Cruz from post 3, Coco as in Chanel ($34.20) ran five furlongs in 57.15 seconds over a firm turf course to win by a length in her stakes debut.
“We won it last time that way,” said Lyndsey Schultz, assistant to winning trainer Tom Proctor. “She’s a classy filly and it was a great spot for her.”
Winless in three starts in the winter and spring, all on dirt, Coco as in Chanel strolled to a 2 ½-length maiden victory May 15 at Pimlico. Following similar tactics, Cruz encouraged the Awesome Again filly through a quarter-mile in 22.19 seconds and a half in 45.33 with Julerette, Hidden Treat and Elegant Supermodel in close pursuit.
Coco as in Chanel began to shake clear after turning for home and turned away a determined bid by Elegant Supermodel down the center of the track for the win.
“She was sharp when I was warming her up and the trainer gave those instructions. I did what he wanted me to do and it worked out,” Cruz said. “Every time the other horses got close to her she kept fighting and never quit. I was impressed. She impressed me just the way she broke and went to the lead and never looked back.”
German-bred Elegant Supermodel, the 2-1 betting favorite in a field of nine making her first start in nearly a year and first in the U.S., finished second, a half-length ahead of stakes winner Hidden Treat.
Daylight Ahead, Summer Frock, Julerette, Do What I Say, Tap Diva and Ramblin N Gamblin completed the order of finish.
