Paulassilverlining explosive in G3 Distaff

by Heather Pettinger

Vincent Scuderi's homebred Paulassilverlining was not to be denied in her first graded stakes of the year, thwarting multiple stakes winner Cavorting's seasonal unveiling with a 3 ¾-length victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Distaff Handicap on Sunday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Sharp out of the gate with leading jockey Jose Ortiz, Paulassilverlining settled in second position early in the seven-horse field, tracking a pacesetting Madam Aamoura through an opening quarter-mile in 22.93 seconds and a half in 45.42.

The 4-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper gained ground on the leader through the turn and, angled out by Ortiz from her inside position, effortlessly assumed control at the quarter-pole. Paulassilverlining drew clear in the lane away from the even-money favorite, Cavorting, who turned in a late run to finish second.

Paulassilverlining completed the seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares in 1:22.01.

"She was great," Ortiz said after the race. "We broke great and I sat in second outside the 6 horse [Madam Aamoura] and by the three-eighths pole, I decided to see what I have and she responded very well for me. From the quarter-pole to the three-sixteenths pole she put her head down and exploded."

Sent off as the 2-1 second post-time choice, the victor returned $6.40 for a $2 win wager.

Winner of the 2014 Grade 2 Matron and the 2015 Ruthless, the Distaff is the first win going further than six furlongs for Paulassilverlining, who hasn't finished worse than fourth in 12 lifetime starts with a record of 5-3-2 and total earnings of $518,950.

"Paula's run well going six, seven, a mile; she always tries, always shows up," said winning trainer Michelle Nevin, who also saddled By the Moon to a fourth-place finish.

"She's really improved over the last couple of months," she said. "We're heading the right way. She's been doing so good, we were expecting a big run from her. But Cavorting is a nice horse too, actually there were a couple of really nice fillies in here, so she had to show up and she did."

Bar of Gold checked in third, followed by By the Moon, My Savannah Belle, La Madrina, and Madam Aamoura.