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Delaware shipper Miraculous Miss swept by the spent leaders in deep stretch to win the $105,200 Valley Stream (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies at Aqueduct going away Sunday, upsetting the odds-on favorite India.
Miraculous Miss, trained by co-owner Steve Klesaris, remained unbeaten in three starts while winning her first stakes race at odds of 9-1.
Under a patient ride from Ramon Dominguez, Miraculous Miss, a daughter of Mr. Greeley, trailed the field into the stretch of the six-furlong event after hitting the gate at the start and being outrun early.
Advancing on the leaders through the turn and upper stretch, she overtook Diamond Spirit, India and Princess Sweet with a rush to win by two lengths. The final time was 1:11.
"She's a little bit deceiving because she does what she has to do to get by," Klesaris said. "She had a lot of ground to make up, but she's got a tremendous late kick. I think this was her best race so far. We're going to take her down south and figure out a plan for next year. She won't race again this year."
Dominguez is looking forward to her return in 2006.
"I like this filly very much," Dominguez said of the winner. "She didn't get off that entire great, but she relaxed. I was a little concerned because she did have a lot to do, but she gives an honest kick when you ask her. I think she will be very exciting if she keeps improving."
Diamond Spirit, with Jose Santos aboard, gained the second spot after leading briefly in the stretch, and India, the 4-5 choice in a field of five, settled for third, 3 1/2 lengths behind the winner.
India, ridden by John Velazquez, would not be denied the early lead. But she was pressed hard on her outside by Princess Sweet as they flew through an opening quarter mile in :21 3/5 and four furlongs in :44 4/5. India held on tenaciously before finally giving way in mid-stretch. Diamond Spirit, who had tracked the leaders into the stretch, rallied gamely on the outside, but was no match for the winner.
Princess Sweet finished fourth and Sleeping trailed. Celestial Legend scratched.
Miraculous Miss debuted against maidens at Delaware Park Sept. 19, winning a 4 1/2-furlong dash by head from off the pace. She returned to Delaware one month later and defeated first-level allowance foes at 5 1/2 furlongs by one length in similar late-running fashion.
She earned $64,320 for the victory and has now banked $114,120 in her brief career.
Co-owned by Puglisi Stables, the Kentucky-bred was a $350,000 2-year-old-in-training purchase in May. Dr. Akijiro O'Hara bred Miraculous Miss, who is out of the Silver Deputy mare No Small Miracle.
The fourth choice in the field, Miraculous Miss paid $21.20, $6.70 and $3. Diamond Spirit, facing winners for the first time from the barn of Allen Jerkens, returned $4.40 and $2.70. India, who was expected to rebound from her nightmare trip in the Belmont Matron (gr. I) Sept. 17, was $2.10 to show.
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