Actress accepts starring role in Black-Eyed Susan

May 19, 2017 Jennifer Caldwell/Brisnet.com

Gary and Mary West’s homebred Actress entered Friday’s $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico winless in two starts, but rose to the top with a rallying finish to break her maiden under jockey Nik Juarez.

The gray daughter of Tapit ran near the rear of the 11-filly field through the first half-mile while Tapa Tapa Tapa set the :23.12 and :46.38 pace up front. Juarez guided Actress off the inside past the five-sixteenths, but the Jason Servis pupil was forced to steady off heels. She quickly regrouped and moved into the four path for the stretch drive.

A number of horses joined Actress for the final dash to the wire, but the Kentucky-bred miss proved best by a head over Lights of Medina. It was another two lengths back to 26-1 longshot Corporate Queen, who came from last to take third by 1 1/2 lengths over Torrent.

Moana, Tapa Tapa Tapa, 3-1 favorite Shimmering Aspen, Summer Luck, Dancing Rags, Yorkiepoo Princess and Full House completed the order under the wire.

Actress paid $27.60 as the 12-1 eighth choice while improving her career record to 3-1-2-0, $172,150. The gray lass finished second in her racing debut on March 19 and the Game Face Stakes on April 22, both at Gulfstream Park.

Actress is the first registered foal out of the Milwaukee Brew mare Milwaukee Appeal, a Canadian champion who placed in the Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes against the boys as well as the Alabama Stakes (G1) and Spinster Stakes (G1).