With a simple score in Churchill's GIII Shawnee S. on Saturday, Juddmonte homebred SCYLLA (f, 4, Tapit–Close Hatches, by First Defence) indicated she would be one to watch in the older mare class this year. After a seven-length blowout and 93 Beyer figure in a one-mile optional allowance over the surface on GI Kentucky Derby day, it was the 'TDN Rising Star's' first stakes triumph. Xigera (Nyquist), the winner of the GII Mother Goose S. and GIII Falls City S. the previous year, finished sixth in the May 3 La Troienne S., her seasonal debut, behind Juddmonte's champion Idiomatic (Curlin). Wet Paint (Blame), the winner of the GI CCA Oaks the previous year, finished third.
Favoured at 6-5, Scylla broke smoothly and found a tracking position right behind pacesetter Xigera. Xigera, who was ranked second at 5-2, completed early parts in :24.06 and :48.33, but Javier Castellano managed to keep her hidden. When Scylla reached the far turn, she lost patience and eagerly collared Xigera. Xigera moved out of the way as she moved in the lane, but Scylla was now leading by 3 1/4 lengths and the race was over. Xigera easily defeated Wet Paint, who had fallen back a few places at the halfway point and surged ahead to take third place from GSW Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) by a neck.
“We always knew her talent was there and the way she's opened up late in her last two starts she's shown that,” said Castellano, who has been aboard Scylla in all of the filly's six career starts. “I thought adding blinkers would keep her a little bit more sharp and focused going two turns. [Trainer] Bill [Mott] agreed and we added them for today's start and it worked out.”
On Saturday, after winning by seven lengths on May 4, Scylla donned blinkers. Three starts at Churchill have seen the 'Rising Star' go undefeated, all by wide daylight. She missed nine months of racing after winning two races at three, but she made a comeback in March, finishing neck second at Gulfstream, and placing third in the April 19 GIII Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland, her maiden stakes race.
“She's been very impressive in her time we've had her at Churchill,” said Mott assistant Kenny McCarthy. “I think bigger and better things are definitely in her future.”