Wedding Toast Runs Away With The Ruffian

Wedding Toast was the impressive winner of the Grade Two Ruffian Stakes over a mile on dirt at Belmont Park, USA on Saturday, May 9.

The five-year-old Street Sense mare, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and partnered by Jose Lezcano, came back to her very best form and had four lengths to spare over old rival Princess Violet at the line.

Previously unbeaten stable companion, Via Strata (Irad Ortiz jnr), made the running before being headed turning in.

Wedding Toast, who raced in fourth towards the outside, moved up on the final bend to go third and came with a strong run to lead soon after entering the straight and soon went clear. Her winning time was 1m 34.86s.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: "Her last two runs she raced down on the inside and had to be used to keep up, while today she was kept back off the pace on the outside and seemed more relaxed.

"She is a very talented mare and has a bright future. We will try and go for the Grade One Ogden Phipps over a mile and a sixteenth on June 6 back here at Belmont."

Jose Lezcano added: "I had a really good trip. Wedding Toast broke good, I knew the two other fillies would be going on (Via Strata and Princess Violet), so I wanted to make sure I got a good spot and we did.

"We sat in third and she gave me the race. The last two times, she gave me so much, and the last time, she was a little rushed. Today was all about getting her to relax. She's a great mare and she performed well today."

Via Strata faded to be fifth of the six runners.