The RDI Stud and Bonne Chance Farm mare finished second to Everland by half a length in the Likely Exchange Stakes (L), at Turfway Park
FLORENCE, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario) - That was it. When Neverwalkalone dominated down the stretch in the Likely Exchange Stakes (L-1600 m, $125,000), it seemed that the Brazilian mare and former champion in Argentina was going to have the best possible return, getting her first major win on the U.S. track.
However, recovering from a stumble she suffered on the opposite side, which involved her beaten, Everland (Arrogate) came back to life, discounted and ended up folding by half a length to the South American representative, drowning her scream in the cold night of Turfway Park.
Performing for the first time over a synthetic track, and after 4 and a half months out of action, Neverwalkalone had a job to dream big this season, after 3 performances in 2024 that mixed satisfaction with disappointment.
With the Bonne Chance Farm jacket, but running in partnership with RDI Stud, the daughter of Agnes Gold ridden by Evin Roman showed much more attitude, watching from a second line what the favorite Earhart (Fr-Siyouni) and She's Fancy (Uncle Mo) were doing ahead, who came fighting with several lengths ahead of the rest and in fractions of 23s87/100, 48s17/100 and 1m13s68/100.
With snow decorating the stage at the side of the track, Neverwalkalone advanced in the turn, dominated Earhart early in the stretch and then did her best to take the top prize, although she had to settle for second, all in a time of 1m39s21/100, with the striking image of the gates over the track blocking the view of the public at the end (what a scandal such a situation would have been in Argentina!).
Neverwalkalone is trained in the United States by Paulo Lobo, who also presented in the Likely Exchange Stakes the Uruguayan GSW Queen Leca (T.H. Approval), who began to stand on the opposite side to finish ninth and last but one, 9 1/4 lengths behind the winner, in what was her third appearance here, after being one of the best of the division in Maroñas.
After the bad news that arrived early from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Neverwalkalone lifted her spirits with an interesting and hopeful performance.
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