Uncorked Drives Up Rail To Royal Heroine Triumph

Making her first start for trainer Phil D’Amato, and first in California, Uncorked (AUS) became a newly minted stakes winner Saturday when taking the $100,000 Royal Heroine (G3) at Santa Anita.

Uncorked had a ground-saving trip under Frankie Dettori before finding a seam on the rail at the top of the stretch and bursting through to score by two lengths as the 5-1 third choice. Justique (8-1) rallied from second-last under Mike Smith to get second. Stay and Scam, the 2-1 favorite ridden by Mario Gutierrez, was another 1½ lengths back in third.

“Phil said, ‘She jumps quick so make sure you get cover and get her to relax.’ She did,” Dettori said. “The field opened up like the Red Sea and I got the inside fence, and she just took off.”

The winning time for one mile on firm turf was 1:34.06. Uncorked paid $12.80 for the win.

D’Amato was at Churchill Downs Saturday where he saw Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner draw post 18 for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1). Assistant trainer Julie Witt handled saddling duties for Uncorked.

“When Frankie asked her, she responded,” Witt said. “She is an Australian-bred and they are known for their sprinter-milers down there and they have a heck of a turn of foot. She is really enjoying California and credit to the owners for sending her out here to us and coming up with this idea of giving us a high-quality filly.”

Uncorked arrived in D’Amato’s barn from New York this winter. Previously trained by Brittany Russell, this was her first start since last November when she finished third in the Forever Together Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Aqueduct.

Bred in Australia, where she made her first nine starts, Uncorked is a 5-year-old mare by the Lonhro stallion Pierro. She is owned by Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group.

Uncorked improved to 17: 4-4-2 with the $60,000 winner’s share for the victory pushing her career earnings to $234,999.