Acoma earns Keeneland win
October 11, 2010LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Long shot Acoma closed out her 18-race career with a victory in Sunday's Grade I $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland.
It was the first Grade I victory for the Empire Maker mare and her trainer David Carroll.
Ridden by Alan Garcia, she finished the 1 1/8-mile race over the fast polytrack in 1:48.77, a half length in front of Milwaukee Appeal.
``She's run on every surface, won on every surface,'' Carroll said. ``It worked out beautifully. Alan gave her a great ride. I'm just so happy for everyone involved with her. She's such a special filly.''
Acoma paid $23.90, $47.34 and $11.80 at odds of $23.80 to 1, the biggest price in the race.
Milwaukee Appeal paid $15.20 and $7.60 and Hot Cha Cha, the 5-to-2 favorite, paid $2.80 to show.
``This is first her Grade I (win) and my first Grade I (win),'' Carroll said. ``To do it together at Keeneland for (owner) Helen (Alexander) and her mother, Mrs. Groves, and the whole staff at Meadowbrook Farm is absolutely special.''
Acoma was bred in Kentucky by her owners, Helen Alexander and Helen Groves. She has won nine of 18 starts and reached $1,000,898 in career earnings with the $300,000 winner's share of the purse.
None of the top three starters are expected to make the Breeders' Cup despite the race being a ``win and you're in'' for the championship event on Nov. 6-7 at Churchill Downs.
It's Tea Time, Funny Moon, Rinterval (Ire), Striking Dancer, Tizaqueena, Zardana (Brz) and Askbut I Won'ttell completed the order of finish.
Also, favored Rogue Romance came from last place to take the $100,000 Bourbon Stakes and earned an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He paid $8.80, $4.60 and $3.80 at odds of 3 to 1. Cozy Kitten paid $5.60 and $4.60 while Ocasta paid $16.60 to show.