NYRA Photo

Lady Paname surges late to win G3 Long Island

by Brian Bohl

Lady Paname overtook four challengers in deep stretch, surging to a half-length win in her North American stakes debut to capture the 62nd running of the $400,000 Long Island for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

The French-bred Lady Paname, who made her first six starts in her native country before shipping to the United States and trainer Chad Brown, stayed well off the early speed as stablemate Night of England dueled Lady Montdore at the front, with the former leading the field through an opening quarter-mile in 25.48 seconds on the inner turf labeled firm.

Night of England, making her first United States start after beginning her career in Germany, opened a 3 1/2-length lead a half-mile in while Lady Paname gained ground on the backstretch under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. as Night of England reached three-quarters in 1:16.67.

Out of the far turn, Ortiz, Jr. set down Lady Paname, who overtook Golden Attitude from the outside. Under left-handed encouragement, Lady Paname continued to run down the competition, passing Lady Montdore, Tricky Escape and a tiring Night of England, hitting the wire in a final time of 2:16.15 for the 1 3/8-mile race.

Lady Paname, owned by Madaket Stables, James Covello, Kent Spellman and Doheny Racing Stables, won her first U.S. start against allowance company on October 17 at Belmont Park. Off at 7-2, the 4-year-old Solider of Fortune filly returned $9.90 on a $2 win wager. She nearly tripled her career earnings to $341,408.

"She's a horse that's developed and come along nicely for us," Brown said. "We bought this horse with good intentions and unfortunately, she suffered from some issues right away. I have to thank the ownership group for being patient. We gave her a lot of time off.

"Distance isn't an issue with her, it just took her a little time to get here and the patience by everyone involved was really rewarded today. I'm really proud of the horse," he added. "I thought Irad would fit her nicely and he really has. He's used good judgement every time he's ridden her and today was another example. Using good judgment, being patient with her in the lane. Waiting for it to open up and when it did, she kicked away." 

Ortiz, Jr. said Lady Paname, who has never raced shorter than 1 1/4 miles, benefitted from the Long Island's distance.

"I got a perfect trip. She relaxed so well," Ortiz, Jr. said. "She appreciated the distance. Last time she went a mile and a quarter, that's not her. At Belmont, she looked so good, but she improved today from the last race.

"Now in her second race, she was much better. She broke out of there, I put my hands down and she relaxed so well," he continued. "She needs some time to start going, so I've been breezing her in the morning and now I know her. I started moving a little early but then when I took her out, she was running in the end."

Tricky Escape finished a half-length ahead of Danceland for second.

Si Que Es Buena, Night of England, Golden Attitude, Lady Montdore, Pollara, Violet Blue and Gipoia completed the order of finish. Pamina unseated Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado at the start, with both horse and rider walking away unharmed.

Main-track only entrants Sexy Reasons, Unbridledadventure and Matty's Magnum were scratched.