Tomboy Blues Beats Favorites in Coronado

Tomboy Blues appeared overmatched as Monday’s Coronado Stakes became a three-horse race approaching the stretch. After all, the filly was a 25-1 shot surrounded by the 3-2 and 8-5 favorites.

But jockey Luis Ortega brought Tomboy Blues outside of the tired pacesetter, Al’s Helen, at the top of the stretch. Tomboy Blues, owned by the Sledge Stable and trained by A. Pico Perdomo, drew away to win the $50,000-added race for a two-year-old fillies by 1 1/2 lengths.

“She broke good and relaxed good,” Ortega said. “I started riding her at the three-eighths pole. She got closer and closer, and I thought I had a real good shot.”

Tomboy Blues covered the six furlongs in 1:10 1/5 and paid $60.60, $17.40 and $10.60. Al’s Helen, with Bill Shoemaker aboard, paid $4.60 and $4.40. Laz’s Joy, ridden by Rafael Meza, finished third and paid $9.20. Exuberant Effort, the favorite, faded in the stretch and finished fourth.

Tomboy Blues, who was bred in California, broke alertly from the gate to take the lead on the rail. Shoemaker rushed Al’s Helen past the leader. Ortega refused the challenge and waited patiently in second.

Al’s Helen opened a five-length lead on the turn and jockey Chris McCarron moved Exuberant Effort along the outside of Tomboy Blues to challenge for second. As has been her history, Al’s Helen tired in the stretch and Ortega moved Tomboy Blues outside for the final drive. Exuberant Effort was in position, but had nothing left.