La Verdad, Yes It’s True’s leading earner of 2014, continued her winning ways in Saturday’s $200,000 Critical Eye S. at Belmont Park, scoring a well-earned half-length victory for her eighth win in ten career outings.
The 4-year-old filly, who has been ridden by Jose Ortiz in all ten of her starts, was well in hand early while battling for the lead through the first half of the one-mile contest. Ortiz asked his mount for some run on the turn, and La Verdad responded quickly to sprint clear by three lengths, then held off Hot Stones throughout the stretch to complete the course in 1:34.30.
Among La Verdad’s eight triumphs are the Distaff H. (G2) and Broadway S., both earlier this Spring. Overall, she’s amassed $574,600 for her owner Lady Sheila Stables.
Trainer Linda Rice was exploring several options for La Verdad’s next start.
“The Honorable Miss (Grade 2, $200,000, July 28, Saratoga Race Course) is six furlongs, and it’s seven furlongs in the Ballerina (Grade 1, $500,000, August 23, Saratoga),” said Rice of her plans for La Verdad. “Typically, speed does pretty well at Saratoga; I think that will help us with the seven furlongs. She’s a Grade 2 winner right now. If we can make her a Grade 1 winner, that would be a huge asset for her going forward.”
La Verdad’s $120,000 payday put Yes It’s True over the $2.3 million mark in progeny earnings for the year.
