first graded win
Harnessing some gale force winds at the juicy price of 21-1 on Saturday afternoon, Storm's Wake (Oscar Performance) made her late run a virtual weather event down the Keeneland turf course in the GII Appalachian Stakes, presented by the Japan Racing Association, and did not disappoint her breeder/owner William K. Werner as the filly earned the first graded win of her career. Always entered on the grass, the dark bay began her career last August with a maiden win at Ellis Park, then she cleared an allowance race at Churchill...
With a fortunate spark of front-end speed, Serendipity (Street Sense) made every pole a winning one to take her first higher level race in the GIII Selene Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday. A former member of Brad Cox's shedrow, the filly won for that trainer in her debut going two turns on the grass at Gulfstream Park Mar. 23. Forced to run on the main track at the Big A May 9, the bay was a fading runner-up against optional claimers in her next start. Tabbed as the 5-2 second...
It took her every single stride of the stretch to get there but Waves of Mischief just edged out race favorite Pin Up Betty (Constitution) to take Sunday's GIII Pucker Up Stakes at Ellis Park. Making her fourth start over as many tracks for Brendan Walsh and Qatar Racing, the $575,000 OBS March grad came out a winner on debut at Keeneland in April, just managed to hit the board in the Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico May 17 and was well out of it after racing keen early last out...
Delahaye closed powerfully to earn her first graded victory in the GIII Mint Julep S. Sunday at Churchill Downs. The even-money favorite was jostled between rivals at the break and was taken in hand to settle well off the pace as longshot Safeen went out to the early lead. Safeen was unchallenged through pedestrian splits, while Delahaye raced three wide with two horses beaten down the backstretch. The favorite rushed up into contention with a four-wide move approaching the stretch, inhaled the pacesetter inside the final furlong and strode clear...
Brightwork made short work of her rivals Sunday to remain undefeated in Saratoga's GIII Adirondack S. Sent off at 5-1 while stepping up to graded company for the first time, the filly broke running and thrust herself into the mix as 5-2 lukewarm favorite Here U Come Again and Streaming Now led through an opening quarter in a snappy :22.1. Swung out several paths turning for home, Brightwork swept to the front midstretch under strong encouragement by Irad Ortiz Jr. and drew clear to triumph by five emphatic lengths over...