Kentucky-bred Clicquot made her Grade 1 debut a winning one, defeating the division’s top 3-year-old fillies to take down top prize in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) at PARX Racing.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Clicquot pulled between rivals in fifth early in the 1 1/16-mile fixture. Moved into the clear on the far turn, Clicquot collared the pacesetters in mid-stretch and gamely prevailed in a stern drive. She defeated Dry Powder by a neck at the wire, covering the distance in 1:42.85. Finishing in her wake were Grade 1 winners Scottish Lassie, La Cara, and Good Cheer.
Walsh spoke jubilantly about his charge’s impressive performance.
“It’s easy to say it now, but for her to come and beat these fillies, a relatively lightly raced filly, I thought it was quite an accomplishment,” winning trainer Brendan Walsh said to BloodHorse. “She’s been working unbelievably well. Like a top-class horse does. You can see by her demeanor she’s just all class. I can’t say enough about her. She makes our job easy.”
By Quality Road out of the Tapit mare Royal Obsession, Clicquot is campaigned by X-Men Racing IV LCC, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC. She was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation. Prior to the Cotillion, Clicquot captured the Indiana Oaks (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis. She is now a winner in 4-of-5 lifetime starts and she has banked $840,153.