Coming off a third-place finish in the Ruthless Stakes in her previous start, Lady Milagro was sent off as the 2-1 favorite yesterday in a $55,000 starter optional claimer at Aqueduct. Based on the way the 3-year-old First Dude filly handled the field, 1/2 would have been a more logical price. 

With Eric Cancel aboard, the Kentucky-bred filly shot to the lead from the rail and was 1 1/2 lengths in front in a quarter of :22.87. From there, she widened the margin, going to the half in :46.39, then ran away in the stretch as announcer John Imbriale brought her home with “Lady Milagro – a much-the-best winner.” She reached the wire 7 1/2 lengths in front, clocked in 1:11.26 for the six furlongs, and collected a check of $30,250 for Dianette Rivas and Amanda Lederer, her owners and breeders.

    Lady Milagro became First Dude’s ninth winner this year, raising her earnings to $95,700 on a record of 2-1-2 in 8 starts. She received an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 84, seven points higher than her previous best.