October 9, 2020 - Belmont Park, Race 4, Msw, USD $63,000, 7F
1st Dam: Dreaming of Julia
2st Dam: Dream Rush
2st Dam: Turbo Dream
Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Shadwell Stable's Malathaat (Curlin), a daughter of Grade I winner Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy), ran to the money and her pedigree with a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy debut victory at Belmont. Breezing a half-mile bullet in :49 1/5 (1/10) on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Oct. 3, she was hammered down to 4-5 favoritism for this career bow. Running the middle of the bunched up sextet early, the $1.05-million KEESEP buy pushed her way up to contest the pace as the first quarter went in :23 flat. Clocking a half-mile in :47.15, the bay was briefly headed by Caramel Swirl (Union Rags) on the backstretch, but reasserted herself at the top of the lane. Caramel Swirl did her best to stay with her rival, but Malathaat was always going the better of the two and held off the Godolphin homebred by 1 3/4 lengths at the line. It was 11 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher. The victory marked Hall of Famer John Velazquez's 2,000 win at Belmont Park.
Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables bred and campaigned 2012 GI Frizette S. heroine Dreaming of Julia, who was ridden by Velazquez and trained by Malathaat's conditioner Todd Pletcher. Dreaming of Julia is the first foal out of two-time Grade I winner Dream Rush (Wild Rush), who also produced MGSW Dream Pauline (Tapit) and stakes-winning young sire Atreides (Medaglia d'Oro). Malahaat is the third foal out of Dreaming of Julia, but the first to race. The 10-year-old mare's recent produce includes a yearling colt by Medaglia d'Oro and a Curlin filly born Apr. 6 of this year. She was bred back to Medaglia d'Oro last spring.
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