Indulgent just touched off in Distaff

Indulgent nearly made it four in a row when just beaten in the G3 Distaff Handicap over seven furlongs on dirt at Aqueduct, USA, on Sunday, April 9. 

This was a first Stakes race for the four-year-old Bernardini filly, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr.

The half-sister to multiple G1 winner Frosted broke smartly and raced in third and then fourth towards the outside.

Indulgent made good progress on the bend and improved into second, challenged the leader straightening up and led with a furlong remaining.

However, she could not hold the late surge of Highway Star and went down by a half-length. The winner’s time came in at 1m 22.25s. 

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “Indulgent ran very well and looked a shade unlucky.

“She had not raced since January 26 and could have got tired inside the final furlong, while she was only getting 1lb from the winner who was a G3 scorer previously.

“I did not think the trip was a problem and I am contemplating stepping her up to a mile in the Ruffian (G2, 1m, May 13, Belmont Park).”