MISS AUTHENTIC WINS STRETCH BATTLE IN INAUGURAL $100,000 MAGGIE L. WALKER
Posted on July 20th, 2026
NEW KENT, Va. (July 18, 2026) — Twin Oaks Bloodstock’s Miss Authentic outbattled Waveless in a determined stretch duel to capture her first stakes victory in the inaugural $100,000 Maggie L. Walker Stakes at Colonial Downs.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally and ridden by Jareth Loveberry, the 4-year-old filly prevailed by a neck after completing one mile on dirt in 1:34.26. Pink Ruby finished third, while the odds-on favorite Amalfi Drive settled for fourth after breaking slowly from the gate and rushing to the front early.
Facing six older fillies and mares in open company, Miss Authentic broke alertly before settling near the back of the field in fifth as Amalfi Drive carved out opening fractions of :22.75 and :44.66. The favorite continued to lead around the far turn, but the demanding early pace began to take its toll in the stretch.
Waveless was the first to launch a serious challenge and surged to the front in upper stretch, but Miss Authentic, angled out for her run and quickly joined the new leader. The pair raced stride for stride through the final furlong, with Miss Authentic edging ahead in the final jumps to secure the victory.
“Watching her replays and how she runs, I hoped the race set up for her to come with a late run,” Loveberry said. “Thanks to Eddie (Kenneally) and the whole team––they had her right today.”
Loveberry rode three winners on Saturday’s card.
Miss Authentic returned $15.20, $5.60, and $5.60.
Bred in Kentucky by Warren J. Harang, the Virginia-certified daughter of Authentic is out of Vertical Vision, by Pollard’s Vision. The Maggie L. Walker marked her first career stakes triumph and improved her record to 15-4-3-4 while boosting her career earnings to $292,556.
