Askbut I Won’ttell responds late in My Charmer

Askbut I Won’ttell finished fast to win the My Charmer (Jim Lisa Photos) Team Block and Rich Ege’s ASKBUT I WON’TTELL (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) came flying late to catch pacesetter Trip for A. J. (Cherokee Run) in Saturday’s $100,000 My Charmer H. (G3) at Calder, registering her second consecutive graded stakes victory with the narrow score. Shaun Bridgmohan provided the well-timed ride aboard the four-year-old filly, who completed 1 1/8 miles over the firm turf in 1:47 4/5. Winner of the November 7 Cardinal H. (G3) at Churchill Downs in her previous outing, Askbut I Won’ttell has blossomed over the past 30 days for trainer Chris Block, posting minor upsets in both stakes tallies. The chestnut broke from post 10 in Saturday’s 12-horse field and was reserved near the back of the pack as Trip for A. J. established soft early fractions of :24 3/5, :49 2/5 and 1:12 2/5. The front runner drew off leaving the far turn, reaching the mile mark in 1:36 1/5 with a 2 1/2-length advantage, but she couldn’t withstand the surging winner. Askbut I Won’ttell saved ground while advancing moderately on the far turn, but she swung out at the top of the stretch and found another gear, swiftly rallying into contention down the middle of the course. She drew clear in the final yards to win by three quarters of a length.

“Last time I rode this filly, we sat a little closer to the pace, but since
we had an outside post today, I wanted to take her back a bit more so that by
the time we reached the turn, I wouldn’t have any problem tucking in to save
some ground,” Bridgmohan explained. “She is a very easy filly to ride, so I’m
able to put her anywhere in the race I want her. It worked out perfectly and she
was rolling through the stretch once I asked her to go on with it.”

Off as the near 7-1 fourth choice, Askbut I Won’ttell paid $15.80, $7 and
$4.40. Trip for A. J., who easily held second by 1 1/2 lengths, gave back $6.60
and $5.20 at nearly 6-1. Evading Tempete (GB) (Dubai Destination) was
forwardly-placed throughout but lacked the needed rally in the stretch, settling
for third at 8-1. She returned $6.20. The 21-1 Miss World (Bernstein) came next
and was followed under the finish line by Cherokee Queen (Cherokee Run), You Go
West Girl (Mr. Greeley), 8-5 favorite Mary’s Follies (More Than Ready), Akilina
(Langfuhr), Paracaidas (War Chant), Gold d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro), The Niagara
Queen (Langfuhr) and Volver (Ire) (Danehill Dancer). Also-eligibles Amazing
(Greatness), Musical Romance (Arch), Toocleverforwords (Arch) and Profiteroles
(Afleet Alex) all remained in the barn.

The exotics yielded $95.80 (exacta), $1,200.80 (trifecta) and $13,563
(10-2-4-6 superfecta).

Bred in Florida by Hidden Point Farm and Hal Queen Farm, Askbut I Won’ttell
sold for $14,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Eastern Fall Yearling Sale in Maryland. She
was bought privately by her current connections following her maiden score in
January 2009.

“She didn’t run much as a three-year-old because we had a chip taken out of
her ankle,” said David Block, co-owner and father of trainer Chris Block. “She’s
had a good year for us now winning back-to-back (graded) stakes. She’ll stay in
training next year and will go to Gulfstream now. Chris will have a few horses
here this winter with an assistant and come back and forth to New Orleans (where
his main division is stabled at Fair Grounds).”

Askbut I Won’ttell garnered her first stakes victory in the off-the-turf
Illinois Owners S. at Arlington Park on May 15, and she’s placed in this year’s
Belle Mahone S. at Woodbine and the 2009 Pago Hop S. at Fair Grounds. She’s now
earned $320,132 from a 16-6-3-2 line.

A half-sister to the stakes-placed Cal’s Baby (Smart Strike) and Cherokee
Dancer (Cherokee Run), Askbut I Won’ttell also has an unraced juvenile
half-brother named Zarbo (Burning Roma). The foursome are out of Silver Dollar
Kate (Green Dancer), herself a half-sister the multiple Grade 3-winning producer
Summer Secretary (Secretariat).

Askbut I Won’ttell’s third dam is the noted Rokeby Stable filly Summer Guest
(Native Charger), who captured such notable events as the Spinster S. (G1),
Alabama S. and Coaching Club American Oaks. This is also the family of Grade 1
winner Key Contender (Fit to Fight).