Letruska flying under the radar for the Apple Blossom
At 0h02, on April 16, 2021 • By OAKLAWN PARK
Clearly, the stars of the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Oaklawn are Eclipse Award winners Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver.
As for the small supporting cast, the most accomplished of the four other entrants is Letruska for trainer Fausto Gutierrez and breeder/owner St. George Stable LLC.
A champion in Mexico for her Mexican connections, the speedy Letruska has won 12 of 17 lifetime starts, including the $125,000 Shuvee (G3) Aug. 30 at Saratoga and the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) Jan. 31 at Sam Houston. In her return to Oaklawn, Letruksa finished second, beaten a head by Shedaresthedevil, in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) March 13. The Azeri is the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.
“I know it’s a tough race, but this is the perfect spot to try,” Gutierrez said after Letruksa’s half-mile bullet workout Sunday morning at Oaklawn. “We don’t have anything to lose. Any of these horses have to run their best race to win. Of course, Letruska, but Swiss Skydiver needs her best effort and Monomoy, too.”
Letruksa won her first seven career starts, including six at Hipodromo De Las Americas in Mexico City. The streak was highlighted by blowouts in two legs of Mexico’s Triple Crown for 3-year-old fillies in 2019 – Clasico Esmeralda (G1) and Clasico Diamante (G1) – when Letruksa was named the country’s divisional champion.
Instead of shipping back to her south Florida base, Letruksa remained at Oaklawn following the Azeri and recorded two works leading up the Apple Blossom. She covered a half-mile in :48.80 April 4 and zipped a half-mile in :47.20 last weekend, galloping out 5 furlongs in :59.40.
“She’s a very sound filly,” Gutierrez said. “I think 5 years old is the perfect age for her.”
Letruska, a seven-time stakes winner, has career earnings of $557,319.
The Apple Blossom headlines Saturday’s 12-race card, with probable post time 7:09 p.m. It is the 11th race. First post Saturday is 1:02 p.m.
