By J.N. Campbell
Sandtrap (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}–Zindaya {GSW, $567,240}, by More Than Ready) began her career as a juvenile in the care of trainer Ralph Beckett and the dark bay broke her maiden at first asking to earn a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', at Salisbury that September.
The filly was the runner-up to eventual GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor (Fr) in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs Stakes at Deauville a month later. Both Sandtrap and Gezora were transferred to Chad Brown's shedrow to start 2026.
As the 1-5 favorite here, Sandtrap took up a position towards the rear of the field into the first turn and remained on hold up the backstretch.
Roused into action around the far turn, the 4-year-old gunned her engine, drove down the lane and cleared the condition by 4 1/2 lengths. Thiene (Ire) (Cotai Glory {Ire}) was the runner-up.
Sandtrap is now pointing to the GI Just a Game Stakes at the Spa in early June.
The winner is a full-sister to former Brown trainee and current sire Carl Spackler (Ire), MGISW, $1,944,331.
Herself a half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley) and a full-sister to MSP Noble Ready–the dam of Japanese group stakes winner Noble Roger (Palace Malice)–Zindaya is responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Uncle Mo, a yearling colt by Justify and she foaled a filly by Into Mischief Mar. 25.
2nd-Aqueduct, $83,000, Alw, 4-18, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:37.26, fm, 4 1/2 lengths.
SANDTRAP (IRE), f, 4, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Zindaya {GSW, $567,240}, by More Than Ready.
Sales History: 450,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $86,071. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Bridlewood Farm; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown.
Sandtrap much the best in R2 at the Big A. https://t.co/PDJbFKsdFE pic.twitter.com/p2XmUjw8M6
— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) April 18, 2026
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