On Sunday at Del Mar Racecourse, Mrs. Astor successfully defended her title in the 1 3/8-mile, $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes (G3) on the turf. The 8-5 favorite, ridden by jockey Humberto Rispoli, tracked the pace from sixth position before making a decisive move from the rail to secure a narrow victory over Public Assembly, who finished second, with Paradise Lake placing third.
As the field rounded the final turn, Public Assembly challenged on the inside, causing the leader, Will Zen, to fade. Mrs. Astor skillfully found a gap between horses and surged forward, clinching the win by a neck. Rispoli praised the filly’s strong finish and commended trainer Jonathan Thomas for preparing her well.
With this win, Mrs. Astor improved her record to seven wins, five seconds, and four thirds in 21 starts, increasing her career earnings to $567,235 and securing a $60,000 winner’s payout. The accomplished 5-year-old mare also holds three graded victories, including last year’s Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. Trainer Thomas noted the effective strategy of racing close to the rail, highlighting Mrs. Astor’s consistency and competitive spirit.
Completing the race in 2:18.86, Mrs. Astor returned $5.40 to bettors. Bred in Kentucky by Creative Cause out of Lookin’ at Lucky, she is a homebred of George Strawbridge’s Augustine Stables. The race fractions were 24.95, 49.89, 1:15.77, 1:41.58, and 2:06.79.
Fan Take: Mrs. Astor’s impressive repeat victory highlights the skill and strategy involved in turf racing, showcasing the thrilling potential of middle-distance races for fans. Her consistent performance adds excitement and depth to the sport, promising great competition and memorable moments for horse racing enthusiasts.
