Letruska Denies Monomoy Girl in Apple Blossom; Swiss Skydiver Third

[Wandering Eyes]

LETRUSKA (m, 5, Super Saver–Magic Appeal, by Successful Appeal) denied heavily favored champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) with an ultra-game victory in Oaklawn's GI Apple Blossom H. The bay was given a 3-1 chance while facing a pair of Eclipse winners in Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) and it was three-horse race between the leading trio from start to finish. Swiss Skydiver broke on top, but was overtaken by an eager Letruska rounding the first turn and joined by Monomoy Girl on her outside through a :23.56 opening quarter. Letruska dictated terms through a :47.96 half as Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver continued to trade positions on her heels. Monomoy Girl glided up outside the pacesetter with a quarter-mile to run and Swiss Skydiver poked her head through on the rail exiting the bend. It appeared the stage was set for the match race everyone was waiting for, but ended up being a different duo dueling down the lane than expected. Swiss Skydiver threw in the towel in early stretch, but Letruska kept on finding, matching Monomoy Girl stride-for-stride. Refusing to yield, she turned back her champion foe at the line to win by a hard-fought nose. Letruska won the GIII Rampart S. in December and the GIII Houston Ladies Classic in January. She entered this off a narrow defeat by GI Kentucky Oaks victress Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) in this venue's GII Azeri S. Mar. 13. Lifetime Record: 18-13-1-1.

O/B-St George Stables (KY); T-Fausto Gutierrez.

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