Ullapool Earns Her First Stakes Win

Perhaps the only question going into the $100,000 Garland of Roses Stakes on Sunday at Aqueduct was if the favorite Ullapool was capable of winning away from Belmont Park. Of her previous five career victories in 12 lifetime starts, all had come at Belmont, while the four-year-old Florida-bred had come up short at Keeneland, Gulfstream, and Saratoga. She put any doubts to rest by cruising to a comfortable two-length win as the 3-2 choice in the field of six racing six furlongs on the dirt.

Quick fractions separate winner from the field

Breaking sharply from the #4-post, Ullapool settled into a two-length lead early and zipped through fractions of 22:36 and 46.14 without ever really getting a challenge. Mid-stretch she opened by as much as three, and was clearly the best at the wire. This was her third straight win and first stakes score in her second attempt, after trying Grade I company in the Test Stakes where she was well-beaten after leading through the first half mile.  A Langfuhr filly, she sports a record of six wins and a second.

Delightful Quality settles for second again

Second in the Garland of Roses was Delightful Quality (4-1), who has managed to hit the board in every one of her 11 lifetime starts, but who has been runner up seven times, now three in a row since she was third in the Grade III Bed O’ Roses Handicap in June at Belmont. This was her fifth stakes try, and she was third in this race last year. Taking the show money on Sunday was 6-1 Baby J. The win was worth an even $5.00 to Ullapool backers, with the $2 exacta paying $19.60 and the $2 trifecta paying $81.50.