In the absence of champion Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro), whose connections were considering this spot before deciding to ship north for Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks, Dark Nile continued her rapid ascent, reeling off her fourth consecutive win and earning her first graded score. A strong, closing third in her six-furlong bow Jan. 23 at Tampa, she graduated convincingly stretching out to two turns there Feb. 14 and dominated a Pennsylvania-bred allowance group May 12 at Penn National. Last out June 8, the $135,000 KEESEP buy conquered the prep for this event, the Our Mims S., over several of today's foes.
Coming away well as the second choice, the WinStar Farm colorbearer saved ground on the first turn before shifting out one path to stalk from a close fourth as 'TDN Rising Star' Browse (Medaglia d'Oro) blitzed through a fast pace of :23.14 and :46.96. Making a three-wide move midway on the far turn, Dark Nile took control passing three-quarters in 1:12.27 and opened clear into the stretch. Longshot A Place to Shine, a former $12,500 claim, loomed large at the furlong pole, but Dark Nile dug in bravely to repel that one's challenge and earn game decision. Kinsley Kisses completed the trifecta and was well clear of the rest. Browse faded to finish seventh.
The race was delayed for over a half-hour for track maintenance after thunderstorms passed through the area.
The winner's dam, a daughter of SW & GSP Tres Coronas, was purchased by Blackstone Farm for $65,000 at the 2013 Keeneland January Sale before foaling the filly that would become Dark Nile three months later. She becomes the first graded winner produced by a daughter of Bernardini.
Saturday, Delaware Park
DELAWARE OAKS-GIII, $300,375, DEL, 7-9, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:46.54, sy.
1–@DARK NILE, 116, f, 3, by Pioneerof the Nile
1st Dam: Royal Society, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Tres Coronas, by Chief's Crown
3rd Dam: Scapegoat, by Forty Niner
($52,000 Wlg '13 KEENOV; $135,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP).
O-WinStar Farm LLC; B-Blackstone Farm LLC (PA); T-Arnaud
Delacour; J-Daniel Centeno. $180,000. Lifetime Record:
5-4-0-1, $243,980. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”paramount-congratulations”][bullet ad=”pa-bred”][bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”][bullet ad=”dante-zanelli-mating-planned-by-dante-zanelli-bloodstock-kentuckyhorsesaol-com”]2–A Place to Shine, 116, f, 3, Tale of Ekati–Smart Soul, by
Perfect Soul (Ire). ($9,500 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Jeremiah Kane;
B-Charles Fipke (KY); T-Kathy P. Mongeon. $60,000.[bullet ad=”paramount-congratulations”]3–Kinsley Kisses, 116, f, 3, Congrats–Winter Forest, by
Forestry. ($200,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Cheyenne Stables LLC;
B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $33,000.[bullet ad=”taylor-hip195-ftsaug-2016″][bullet ad=”mulhollandsprings-dambredsold”][bullet ad=”elmtree-salesgrad”][bullet ad=”stonestreet-bredraised”][bullet ad=”bradshaw-randy-shell”]Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, 5 3/4. Odds: 2.50, 17.30, 2.70.
Also Ran: Miss Inclusive, Dreams to Reality, Downdraft, Browse, Eighth Wonder. Scratched: Flora Dora.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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