Venencia (FR) stalked the pace early then held off a late challenge from Bless My Stars (SAF) to score a 2¾-length victory in the $350,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) on a cool, rainy afternoon at Keeneland.

Ridden by Ben Curtis for the Fall Meet’s leading trainer, Brendan Walsh, Venencia races for Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Jim Cone, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Team Hanley and Cambron Equine.

The Rood & Riddle Dowager victory was the second for Walsh, who won the race in 2022 with Temple City Terror. 

Today, Venencia matched strides with front-running longhot Cupid’s Crush until the top of the stretch before drawing clear on the inside. Bless My Stars, ridden by John Velazquez, raced just off the pace early and made a late run but could not catch the winner.

Venencia paid $17.76, $9.04 and $5.28. Bless My Stars paid $8.28 and $5.36 and finished 2½ lengths ahead of favored Vive Veuve, who returned $3.38 under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Spanish Eyes (GER) was another 3¾ lengths behind in fourth and was followed in order by Duvet Day (IRE), Miwa (GB), Adrasteia, Boss Lady Bailey and Cupids Crush.

Venencia completed 1½ miles on a yielding turf course in 2:35.69. With the victory worth $147,250, she improved her career earnings to $373,817 with her third win in 14 starts.

A 5-year-old daughter of Recoletos out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Sign of Life, Venencia is cataloged to sell as a racing or broodmare prospect in Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale, which begins Tuesday, Nov. 4. Click here for her catalog page.