Heading into a mouthwatering renewal of Saturday’s $1-million GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing, Good Cheer (Medaglia d’Oro), Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) and La Cara (Street Sense) had combined to win no fewer than five Grade I contests over the course of the last 11 months. But when all was said and done, it was the far less-exposed and extremely well-backed Clicquot (Quality Road), who took over in the final furlong and went on to a narrow victory over Dry Powder (Gun Runner) and Ourdaydreaminggirl (Instagrand) as the pin-up horses played no role in the finish.
Clicquot was away without incident and was content to take up a position towards the back of the pack, as Ashland and Acorn Stakes winner La Cara showed the way in advance of Dry Powder, easy winner of the local Cathryn Sophia Stakes when last seen Aug. 19. Irad Ortiz, Jr. had Clicquot–romping winner of the GIII Indiana Oaks back on July 5–between longshot Indy Bay (Take Charge Indy) and Oaks heroine Good Cheer down the back of the track.