Temple City Terror reels in Dalika to win Churchill’s Keertana Stakes

Temple City Terror ran down a loose-on-the-lead Dalika (GER) in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $110,000 Keertana S. Saturday night at Churchill Downs.

The victory was the first black type win for the 5-year-old daughter of Temple City, who had finished second earlier this year in the Al Stall Memorial S. at Fair Grounds.

Dalika came out of the gate running in the 1 ½-mile marathon and built up a commanding lead in the first half-mile, sprinting some 15 lengths clear of the field. She continued to hold the margin through a mile in 1:38.52. The gap was still double-digits coming into the stretch the final time, but Dalika was tiring noticeably, with Temple City Terror cutting into the margin with every stride. She caught the leader and rolled right by to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:29.57 on the firm turf.

“I think the fractions were pretty sensible, but (I was) quite aware that after a half-mile (Dalika) was still a sixteenth (of a mile) ahead of us,” said jockey Adam Beschizza. “All credit to the second-place horse, who ran well. Stepping her up to a mile-and-a-half seems to be looking bright now. Based on her past performances at Fair Grounds, she seemed to settle like she’d get the distance. She has a great turn of foot when you let her loose.”

Temple City Terror races for Pocket Aces Racing LLC and is now 4-4-3 in 20 starts and has earned $288,401. She was bred in Kentucky by Upson Downs Farm.

Temple City Terror is the second stakes winner of the month for her sire. On Derby Day at Churchill Downs, Du Jour won the American Turf S. (G2).