Homebred Countess Cashmere ran down pacesetter Richies Sweetheart to win the $85,125 Purple Violet S. Saturday at Arlington Park by a half-length. The victory was the first stakes win for the 3-year-old daughter of Bellamy Road, who now has 19 career stakes winners, four already this year.
Sitting just behind Richies Sweetheart for nearly the entire one-mile trip, Countess Cashmere made up three lengths inside the final furlong under strong urging by Carlos Marquez, Jr. The final time on the artificial surface was 1:37.83 (VIDEO).
“Last time I rode her it was three-quarters and she’s never been (a mile), so obviously she was going to be a little rank early but I managed to get her to sit off Timmy’s filly (Thornton, on Richies Sweetheart) and she finished well,” said Marquez who had ridden Bellamy Road. “I let Timmy go. I didn’t want to go head and head because we’d burn each other out and set it up for somebody else. I was able to get outside quick. I sat there and waited as long as I could. When I asked her, she responded. Both fillies were giving their all and my filly just got the edge on her the last part.”
Countess Cashmere is owned by her breeder John Carver. She is the second foal out of Bankruptcy Babe, and is a full sister to Reigning Catfish, who won the 2013 Springfield S., also at Arlington. With the win, Countess Cashmere is 2-1-1 in four starts, earning $79,932.
