Adam Coglianese
Given no better than a 53-1 chance to win Belmont’s open Voodoo Dancer Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Friday, maiden Flattermewithroses went from last to first to capture the seven-furlong turf contest, while giving trainer Jena Antonucci, who co-owns the daughter of Flatter in partnership with Silvernails Farm, her first 2012 victory.
Flattermewithroses came into the Voodoo Dancer showing improvement in each of three prior starts, culminating in a runner-up finish in her most recent outing in a seven-furlong race over good turf at Belmont on September 8.
Flattermewithroses dropped back into last position under jockey Mike Luzzi shortly after the start, but then moved up two spots in the first quarter mile (23.56), as Heading to Toga (one of four New Yorkers in the field), blazed the way, tracked intently by fellow state-bred Discreet Marq (5-2 second choice).
By the completion of the first half mile (48.48), the longshot had moved up another position in the two path to race in third, just 2 1/2 lengths from the leader. Advancing smartly in upper stretch, Flattermewithroses poked a head in front of Heading to Toga at the furlong marker and opened up under a drive to finish first by 1 1/2 lengths.
Todd Pletcher-trained Coconut Shrimp, the 6-5 favorite, spoiled the Empire-bred exacta, when she closed in the stretch to finish second 1 3/4 lengths clear of Discreet Marq. The final time for the seven furlongs on the yielding Widener turf course in 1:26.14.
Bred by Owen Kiernan and foaled at Kiernan Farm in Delanson, Flattermewithroses is the first starter produced by Rosella, a winning daughter of Grindstone ($54,803).
Flattermewithroses was purchased by Silver Nails as a yearling at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton preferred New York-bred yearling sale for $58,000 from the consignment of Saratoga Glen Farm. With a record of 4-1-1-0, she has now earned $59,700.
