Frankie Dettori came to play Sept. 11 on the closing day of the Kentucky Downs meet, swiping both of the stakes races and showcasing his skills at navigating the European-style course over longer distances.
The more lucrative of those victories came in the $1,533,100 Dueling Grounds Oaks aboard Kathynmarissa for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.
The superstar jockey settled his filly in midpack through the early stages of the 1 5/16-mile contest behind fractions of :25.05, :48.60, and 1:12.02. Biding his time, he tipped her out around the leaders and took the lead at the three-sixteenths pole. That was when the young 3-year-old started to lose focus.
"I went to give her a tap. I got one in but the second the stick went up in the air," Dettori said. "I resorted to shouting and slapping her with my hand on her neck because I wanted her to concentrate. She knuckled down and won."
Hitting the wire in 2:06.40, Kathynmarissa finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of Waves of Mischief. Deep-closing European runner Siege of Troy was another head behind in third. Kathynmarissa paid $7.90 to win.
Second in the Aug. 2 Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G2T), Kathynmarissa earned her first stakes victory for owners Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb. Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto, she is the 50th stakes winner sired by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah , who stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud. A three-time winner in eight starts, she has earned $1,147,185.
Video: Pepsi Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational S. (BT)
Limited Liability Steals Nashville Gold Cup on the Lead
The distance was even longer one race prior, but you never would have guessed watching Limited Liability romp in the $440,000 Nashville Gold Cup Stakes.
Breaking sharply, Dettori sent Limited Liability to the lead for the 2 1/16-mile contest after seeing how a slow pace in the Aug. 21 Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park worked against him when defeated by The Grey Wizard at 1 1/2 miles.
"He had no turn of foot, so I didn't want a sprint finish," Dettori said. "I jumped to be forward, and he let me have that. He was going nicely with the fractions, in his own rhythm."
The rhythm was comfortable for the 5-year-old Kitten's Joy gelding, posting fractions of :50.26, 1:42.41, and 2:30.89. Meanwhile, his rival and heavy favorite The Grey Wizard was allowed to drop to a distant last in the first turn before getting into contention behind the leader with one mile to go.
Entering the straight, The Grey Wizard had no answer for Limited Liability, who was still motoring along when Dettori asked the question. He pulled away to win by a widening 8 1/4 lengths in 3:23.86, setting a track record. He paid $6.06 to win as the second choice.
The Grey Wizard was best of the rest, finishing 1 1/2 lengths clear of Cyber Ninja for second.
A homebred for Stuart Janney III, Limited Liability is trained by Shug McGaughey. Placed in graded stakes seven times, the Nashville Gold Cup was the gelding's first trip to the winner's circle against stakes company. He now holds a record of 4-2-6 from 18 starts for earnings of $805,199.
