X-Men Racing 2 LLC and SF Racing’s Last Call (English Channel) broke her maiden in style with a 21-1 upset in the GI Natalma S. at Woodbine, a “Win and You’re In” for the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in November at Keeneland.
Second on debut at this venue July 23, Last Call was fourth last out going seven panels over this course Aug. 20. Dismissed by the bettors while shedding blinkers here, the $30,000 KEESEP acquisition by Donato Lanni was unhurried early, racing in second last off the rail as Star Candy (Candy Ride {Arg}) dictated terms, clocking early splits of :24.27 and :49.02. Advancing rapidly up the outside approaching the bend, Last Call was four wide at the top of the lane and hit the front halfway home, holding off favored Cairo Consort (Cairo Prince) to score by a length. G Laurie (Oscar Performance) filled the show spot.
“We put the blinkers on early because she just wasn’t showing a whole lot in the beginning and then the lightbulb kind of kicked in and she just started working more impressive each time,” said winning trainer Kevin Attard. “And we were obviously a little disappointed in her last start, but now with a couple races of experience under her belt and obviously her pedigree – which leans to more distance – she put it all together today.”