With a flair for the dramatic, Walkabout put in a come-from-behind victory in the G3 Matron Stakes at Churchill Downs. Near the back of the pack early, Walkabout came flying late and in the final strides of the race got her neck in front of second-place finisher Improv for the win.
“Around the first turn, we were way back there,” said winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. “That’s just the sort of horse she is, though. We came rolling at the end. We figured out the type of running style she has over the last couple of starts. All I have to do is stay out of her way.”
Walkabout completed the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:44.06 and defeated 10 other fillies and mares in the process. Although the Matron marks the 4-year-old Stroll filly’s first graded stakes score, she has shown her talent before, finishing third in the G2 Falls City Handicap.
Ian Wilkes trains Walkabout, who was bred by Janis R. Whitham, for Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC. Out of the Broad Brush mare Arlucea, Walkabout is a half-sister to G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned. In turn, Arlucea is out of the champion racemare Bayakoa.
Stroll, a son of legendary sire Pulpit, formerly stood at Claiborne Farm.