16 Abr. USA. Appalachian S. G3. Keeneland. 8f. Turf. 125.000 $
1.- ALWAJEEHA (J.Velazquez)
2.- SWEEPSTAKE (G.Gomez)
3.- I LOST MY CHOO (E.Prado)


Alwajeeha seized command in early stretch in the $125,000 Appalachian Stakes (G3) on Wednesday at Keeneland Race Course and held off game runner-up Sweepstake (Ire) and third-place finisher I Lost My Choo to prevail by a head in a thrilling finish.

The Dixieland Band filly earned her first career stakes victory for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and owner-breeder Shadwell Stable.

Alwajeeha opened the year with a runner-up finish in the Tropical Park Oaks on January 1 at Calder Race Course and entered the Appalachian off a second-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Gulfstream Park on February 22.

John Velazquez rated Alwajeeha within striking distance of a leisurely pace of :24.54, :49.49, and 1:14.30 set by Mrs Petoski. Alwajeeha surged into contention with a sweeping move on the turn, powered to the lead in early stretch, and was fully extended to edge Sweepstake and I Lost My Choo after an extended duel through the final furlong.

Alwajeeha completed one mile in 1:37.37 on firm turf to improve to two wins and two seconds from five career starts. She more than doubled her career earnings to $137,760 with the $77,500 winner’s share.

Multiple stakes winner Sweepstake nipped I Lost My Choo by a nose.

Kentucky-bred Alwajeeha is out of the winning Seattle Slew mare Ridaa.