Pulp Fiction takes first U.S. step, but leaves room for improvement

The 2024 Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) winner at Palermo could do no better than sixth, beaten 9 1/2 lengths, in a 1700-meter allowance optional claiming over the dirt at Keeneland

Cat's Cave upsets the favorites with surprise victory / KEENELAND

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario)–Expectations were high for Pulp Fiction as she made her U.S. debut Wednesday at Keeneland, but the Argentine G1 winner failed to make an impact, finishing sixth in a field of seven in a US$80,000 allowance optional claiming event run over 1700 meters on dirt, with a total purse of US$130,000.

Now racing for Resolute Racing and trained by H. Graham Motion, the Daddy Long Legs filly hinted at promise early on under José Ortiz, settling in a stalking position through the opening stages. However, she began to lose ground around the far turn and failed to re-engage in the stretch, checking in 9 1/2 lengths behind Cat’s Cave (Goldencents), who pulled off a major upset by holding off favored duo Chilled (Frosted) and Landed (Omaha Beach) by a length. The final time was 1:44.24.

Given that it was her first start in the Northern Hemisphere—and her first outing since September—Pulp Fiction deserves the benefit of the doubt. A G1 winner of the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas in 2024 at Palermo, she showed plenty of talent in her home country, and her connections will be hoping that this was just a stepping stone toward stronger performances down the line.