New Group winner for Bated Breath

Juddmonte homebred filly Viadera secured her first Group win in the Gr.3 Noble Damsel Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday (26th September).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 27th September 2020:

Viadera (Bated Breath) charged up along the rail to just edge her favoured stablemate Blowout (Dansili) on the wire and give trainer Chad Brown a one-two finish in the Noble Damsel Stakes Gr.3 at Belmont Park. Viadera was unhurried and settled well back in the field as Blowout took the early lead and charged through fractions of :22.17 and :44.85. Viadera was inching closer and working her way through traffic as Blowout turned for home still in front, but with Sweet Bye and Bye nipping at her heels. Blowout completed the three-quarters in 1:08.38 and, despite the swift fractions, was grittily holding off Sweet Bye and Bye only to have Viadera find running room along the rail late and close to just best the game favourite.

"I was in a good spot and there was a lot of speed," said winning rider Joel Rosario. "For a second, I thought they were going to get away from me, but I was comfortable where I was,and I just tried to ride her from there. When it was time to go, she kicked good. It looked like I might have to go between horses [in the stretch], but they came off the rail and I took a chance to go to the rail and hope not to get blocked inside. She kept coming and coming. She ran super."

Brown was pleased with the efforts of both Viadera and Blowout. He said: "The fractions were gruelling, and it was hard to stomach watching it unfold, but she held on gamely and nearly won. The winner, Viadera, really got a great trip from Joel and she's a fine filly in her own right. She's really put it together her last two starts with two nice wins"

Viadera was a stakes winner and Group-placed in Ireland last year for trainer Ger Lyons. She made her stateside debut off a nine-month layoff, finishing fourth over the Belmont course in the Intercontinental Stakes Gr.3 in June and won the De La Rose Stakes Listed race at Saratoga in her most recent trip to the post.