Chelsea Durand Photo

Arella Rockstar pulls off upset in G3 Matron

by Najja Thompson

Making only her second career start and first for trainer Rudy Rodriguez, e Five Thoroughbreds and Magic Cap Stables' Arella Rockstar upset the Grade 3, $200,000 Matron Stakes for juvenile fillies to earn her fist stakes victory on Sunday at Belmont Park.

Claimed by her connections for $50,000 on August 31 in her debut at Saratoga Race Course, the daughter of Astrology left from post 3 with Luis Saez aboard. Forwardly placed, she sat second position in between Amapola and Cherry Lodge as the opening quarter-mile went in a swift 22.04 seconds with the half in 45.61.

At the quarter-pole, the three leaders continued to battle as 3-5 post time favorite Cherry Lodge for trainer Todd Pletcher stayed within striking range from the three-path while Amapola gave way along the rail. Now under a drive, Arella Rockstar grabbed the lead in the upper stretch engaging in a one-on-one battle with Cherry Lodge to the finish. Emerging the victor, she secured the win by three-quarters of a length.

Her winning time for the six-furlong distance was 1:11.68

"That filly ran so big," said Saez. "When I got on, I was thinking, man, she's alright. When she broke from the gate, she was running. She never gave up. When we came to the stretch, I thought the Pletcher horse was going to pass me but I had a lot of horse and when she switched her lead, she gave me another gear and she got it."

Returning $27.20 for a $2 win wager, Arella Rockstar boosted her career earnings to $160,000.

"I think she has a lot of guts. She's a fighter," said Rodriguez. "It looked like Cherry Lodge had her beat, but she had another gear. She looked good.  We're just going to enjoy the win and take it from there."

Following Cherry Lodge in second was Spirituality, Amapola, and Fly.