Scalable surged past long-time leader Barney Takes Charge in the final stretch to win Friday\u2019s $135,000 Ladies Stakes, a nine-furlong event for older mares at Aqueduct Racecourse.<\/p>\n
This win represents the second stakes victory for owners Lepore Stables, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, and jockey Kendrick Carmouche, coming just a day after their Listed $150,000 Toboggan victory with Be You. It also marked Pletcher and Carmouche\u2019s third triumph on a day featuring six races.<\/p>\n
Carmouche shared his strategy, aiming to keep Scalable close to the leaders to counter Way the Risks, a frequent competitor who had bested Scalable twice in previous listed stakes. \u201cI wanted to be aggressive and position her near the favorites,\u201d said Carmouche. \u201cWe stayed inside, which suits this track well, then she really kicked when I tipped her out. Despite cancellations due to cold weather, today felt perfect to challenge the favorites. Thanks to Todd and Lepore for their support.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barney Takes Charge, a New York-bred stakes winner piloted by Ruben Silvera, slipped smoothly from post two and set the pace with a swift opening quarter in 24.67 seconds. Way the Risks pressed from second position under Manny Franco while Scalable settled into fifth.<\/p>\n
Bernie Takes Charge maintained the lead along the backstretch, closely followed by Way the Risks and a stalking group including Scalable, Low Country Magic, and Carlin\u2019s Girl.<\/p>\n
In the final turn, Carmouche urged Scalable forward, and the mare responded with a strong burst, moving from the outside to overtake the pacesetter. By the three-quarters call, Scalable had a slight half-length lead, clocking 1:12.24.<\/p>\n
Despite Barney Takes Charge’s tenacity down the stretch, Scalable took command near the sixteenth pole and finished with a two-and-a-quarter length advantage, stopping the clock at 1:51.32. Barney Takes Charge held second by the same margin over Low Country Magic, with Way the Risks, Purloin, and Carlin\u2019s Girl following.<\/p>\n
Scalable had finished behind Way the Risks in the previous two races, placing third by 1\u00be lengths in the Listed Pumpkin Pie in November and second by 9\u00be lengths in the one-turn mile Listed Go for Wand in December.<\/p>\n
Todd Pletcher\u2019s New York-based assistant, Stu Hampson, noted the extended distance benefited Scalable. \u201cWe hoped she\u2019d settle closer in the stretch\u2014it worked perfectly,\u201d he said. \u201cKendrick rode her flawlessly, and the mare delivered an excellent performance. We\u2019re very proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
This marks Scalable\u2019s third stakes victory, adding to her narrow wins against Gunsong in the 2024 Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks with Paco Lopez aboard, and last year\u2019s Interborough stakes with Carmouche.<\/p>\n
\u201cKendrick knows how to ride her, having done well with her at Interborough last year,\u201d Hampson added. \u201cToday\u2019s stretch was ideal, and she traveled beautifully. Kudos to the entire team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ruben Silvera praised Barney Takes Charge\u2019s effort throughout the race, noting that the horse, trained by Domenic Schettino and coming off Bay Ridge\u2019s recent win over her, put in a strong showing despite needing more conditioning. \u201cShe\u2019s from New York and ran very well today. The trainer mentioned she had a day off before the race, so she\u2019ll be even sharper next time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jockey Manny Franco, aboard Way the Risks, acknowledged the horse\u2019s effort but found no excuses for the loss. \u201cI gave her a good rhythm, though she was a bit keen. I don\u2019t think there was much excuse for the outcome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Scalable was purchased for $200,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She\u2019s by Tapit out of the mare Passionflower, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Stop Charging Maria, who earned over $3 million for Pletcher and owner Mike Lepore as a 2- and 3-year-old. With this latest win, Scalable improved her record to 16 starts with five wins, two seconds, and two thirds, earning $74,250 for this race. A winning $2 bet on Scalable returned $12.50.<\/p>\n
Due to anticipated frigid conditions and dangerously low wind chills expected to impact the New York area, live racing at Aqueduct has been canceled for Saturday and Sunday. However, simulcast betting will remain available. Racing action will resume Wednesday with a nine-race card starting at 12:40 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n