ALITTLELESSTALK DRAWS OFF LATE FOR AN IMPRESSIVE SCORE
Auburn, Wash. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Alittlelesstalk got revenge on the heavily backed Killarney Lass in Thursday’s $40,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares.
Warlock #1, Roddina Barrett and Kelly Dougan’s 4-year-old Washington-bred Alittlelesstalk sat just behind the even-money favorite Killarney Lass for most of the race, just like in the Boeing Stakes four weeks ago. In that race Killarney Lass pulled away for an emphatic victory.
But the tables were turned this time around.
Jockey Juan Gutierrez made the winning move in deep stretch as they collared Eddie Martinez aboard Sargent Stables’ Killarney Lass with a 100 yards to go and the Barrett-trained bay filly drew off quickly to win by 2 1/2 convincing lengths.
“She’s one in a million,” said trainer Barrett who has been working the gutsy filly since her second-place effort in the Boeing S. “That’s my Girl!.”
Gutierrez won the Distaff for a record fourth time. His other victories were aboard Infernal Mcgoon (2003), Elusive Horizon (2009), and Class Included (2012).
Alittlelesstalk, who is by Demon Warlock and out of Trainingat the Bar, paid $9 to win as the second choice in the seven-horse field.
Donnybrook Stable’s Paddy’s Secret, who is trained by Frank Lucarelli, made up a bunch of ground and had her head just ahead of Lucarelli’s other runner Killarney Lass to gain second place.
Alittlelesstalk, who is now 6 for 13 over the Auburn oval with four seconds, increased her lifetime earnings to $134,776 with the $22,000 winner’s share.
Alittlelesstalk and Barrett have teamed up to win three stakes since last season.
As expected, the Kentucky-bred Killarney Lass went ride to the lead and opened up a 2-length lead on Alittlelesstalk, running the first quarter mile in :22.60, a half mile in :45.66 and three quarters in 1:09.26. By the time she turned for home the lead had narrowed to less than a length. Alittlelesstalk rallied up the rail for the stakes victory while stopping the clock 1:42.41 for the 1 1/16 miles.
The B.C. shipper Amazonian ridden by two-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez was no factor placing fifth.
