Martin S. Schwartz's Off Limits (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) continued what had already been a successful 2017 campaign, notching her first win at the highest level in the GI Matriarch S. at Del Mar Sunday. Winner of five of her six starts this year under the tutelage of trainer Chad Brown, Off Limits was given a rail-skimming ride by Joel Rosario and unleashed a powerful last-to-first rally to claim the victory.
“I think it was the right place to be coming from off the pace with this mare,” said Jose Hernandez, Brown's assistant who was on hand to saddle Off Limits and sixth-place finisher Rubilinda (Frankel {GB}). “I talked to [Brown], but he just said, 'Get over there and win the race,' that's it.”
Entering off a pair of Grade III wins in New York, Off Limits was sent postward at odds of 9-2 and was allowed to settle at the rear of the pack behind honest fractions of :23.40 and :47.09. The chestnut began to gather steam approaching the far turn, burst through a wide opening to pick off rivals along the rail and tipped just off the fence at the head of the lane to pass a tiring rival. Left with Hawksmoor to catch in the final furlong, she had plenty of gas left in the tank to power past and cross the wire a length in front.
“It was a perfect trip,” said Rosario. “Just what we wanted. She's got that great turn of foot. That's what makes her so special–and she wants to win. When she sees horses in front of her, she wants to go get them.”
Beginning her career campaigning in her native Ireland for the No Limits Partnership and trainer David Wachman, Off Limits won twice from six starts, including a stakes win in July of her sophomore season in 2015. She was imported to America the following winter and endured some hard luck in 2016, failing to reach the winner's circle in five attempts at the 'two-other-than' allowance level. 2017 brought her improved fortunes, as she kicked off the season with an allowance score at Belmont in June and a runner-up effort in that venue's Perfect Sting S. in July 1. She followed by reeling off three consecutive tallies in New York, including the GIII Noble Damsel S. and the
GIII Athenia S. at Belmont Sept. 23 and Oct. 28, respectively.
Pedigree Notes:
Off Limits became the sixth Group/Grade I winner for her sire Mastercraftsman and his first in North America. Originally acquired by Tom King for E24,000 as a Goffs November weanling, the winner is a half to Seinellanima (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), who was stakes-placed in Italy.
Sunday, Del Mar
MATRIARCH S.-GI, $302,070, DMR, 11-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.37, fm.
1–OFF LIMITS (IRE), 123, m, 5, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Ravish (GB), by Efisio (GB)
2nd Dam: Looks Sensational, by Majestic Light
3rd Dam: Highest Regard, by Gallant Romeo
1ST GRADE I WIN. (€24,000 Wlg '12 GOFNOV). O-Martin S.
Schwartz; B-Carlingford Breeding Syndicate (IRE); T-Chad C.
Brown; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: SW-Ire,
17-7-2-1, $634,680. Click for eNicks report. Werk Nick Rating:
A+.[bullet ad=”itm-g1″]2–Hawksmoor (Ire), 123, f, 4, by Azamour (Ire)
1st Dam: Bridal Dance (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Feather Bride (Ire), by Groom Dancer
3rd Dam: Bubbling Danseuse, by Arctic Tern
(€80,000 Ylg '14 TISEP). O-Lael Stables; B-Tenuta Genzianella
(IRE); T-Arnaud Delacour. $60,000.[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]3–Insta Erma, 123, f, 4, by Pioneerofthe Nile
1st Dam: Enchanted Woods, by Woodman
2nd Dam: Grand Sophisticate, by El Gran Senor
3rd Dam: Sophisticated Girl, by Stop the Music
($290,000 4yo '17 FTKHRA). O-Little Red Feather Racing,
Medallion Racing, Premier Racing Club and McClanahan;
B-Zayat Stables, LLC (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $36,000.[bullet ad=”taylor-made-double-congrats-to-partners”][bullet ad=”elite-sales-ft-july-hit-graduate”]Margins: 1, HF, 3/4. Odds: 4.60, 12.00, 14.50.
Also Ran: Cambodia, Lull, Rubilinda, Belvoir Bay (GB), Kitten's Roar, Pretty Girl (Arg), Thundering Sky, Miss Julia Star (Fr). Scratched: Mrs McDougal.Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
