Wavell Avenue Flashes Home in the Filly/Mare Sprint
Updated: October 31, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Wavell Avenue (Harlington) continued her progressive form, coming from well off the pace for a 10-1 upset in the GI TwinSpires Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland. It was 1 3/4 lengths back to La Verdad (Yes It’s True) in second; ‘TDN Rising Star’ Taris (Flatter) was third. “We thought there’d be a strong pace up front,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Joel [Rosario] has gotten along with this filly so well. He’s really been instrumental in her development, as much as me. It’s really been a team effort. We were really confident if she got a strong pace she could get there. It’s a thrill to be here. I’m so proud of her.”
Wavell Avenue, a $40,000 maiden claiming winner going a one-turn 1 1/16 miles in the slop at Belmont last October, was an impressive $62,500 optional claiming winner at 6 ½ furlongs there early this June. She held her own with a third-place finish in the grassy Zadracarta S. at Woodbine June 27, then was an even fourth behind subsequent GI Ballerina S. heroine Unbridled Forever (Unbridled’s Song) in the Shine Again S. at the Spa Aug. 5. Wavell Avenue kicked home smartly to narrowly get the money in an optional claimer at that venue Aug. 26, then registered a career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure when running La Verdad to a half length after stumbling at the start in Belmont’s GII Gallant Bloom H. Sept. 26.
Outsprinted in 11th as La Verdad, back on a week’s rest, and West Coast invader, Taris, who annexed this track’s GII Raven Run S. over the course and distance last fall, sped through an opening quarter in :22.53. Those two, as well as Stonetastic (Mizzen Mast), had the race to themselves as the field for Filly/Mare Sprint turned into the stretch, with Taris trying to squeeze through at the rail. La Verdad began to shake clear down the lane, but Rosario had Wavell Avenue in full gear by that point and raced over the top in the shadow of the wire to win going away in style. La Verdad survived a stewards’ inquiry to hold second over Taris, with race favorite Cavorting (Bernardini) running on late for fourth.
“I had a perfect trip,” Rosario said. “It was a very good race. She always tries hard. We were always able to get a good position even when we were back far. I was comfortable because they were going fast up front. She gave me a big kick down the lane. It’s great to win a great race like this.”
Wavell Avenue is campaigned by a partnership headed by Michael Dubb, who’s Long Island-based Beechwood Organization has built more than 6,000 homes in 60 communities since its inception 30 years ago. Dubb, known for campaigning his large stable with several partners, owns Wavell Avenue along with Sol Kumin, Mike Caruso and David Simon.
“We’re just three or four guys, usually, that partner up on a horse when something comes along,” Dubb explained of his approach. “You might own 25%, but they put 100% of you in the winner’s circle picture.”
He continued, “We’re in this first and foremost to have fun, to be with friends, to be social. I think if you said to me would you rather own horses alone or own horses with friends, it’s a no-brainer.”
Wavell Avenue was picked up at the 2014 FTKJUL sale as an unraced 3-year-old as part of the Eugene Melnyk Racing dispersal. Steve Young signed the ticket. Her dam Lucas Street (Silver Deputy) produced a filly by Court Vision in 2014. She was bred to Exhi this spring.
Saturday, Keeneland
TWINSPIRES BREEDERS’ CUP FILLY AND MARE SPRINT-GI, $920,000, KEE, 10-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.39, ft.
1–#@&WAVELL AVENUE, 124, f, 4, by Harlington
1st Dam: Lucas Street (MSP, $298,671), by Silver Deputy
2nd Dam: Ruby Park, by Bold Ruckus
3rd Dam: Katebyrne, by Geiger Counter
($70,000 3yo ’14 FTKHRA). O-M. Dubb, D. Simon, Head of
Plains Partners LLC & Bethlehem Stables LLC; B-Eugene Melnyk
(ON); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Joel Rosario. $550,000. Lifetime
Record: 13-6-1-2, $853,725. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”][bullet ad=”equix-optimatch”][bullet ad=”ontario-bred”][bullet ad=”schumer-bloodstock-sire-purchased”]
2–La Verdad, 124, m, 5, Yes It’s True–Noble Fire, by Hook and
Ladder. O-Lady Sheila Stable; B-Eklektikos Stable LLC (NY);
T-Linda Rice. $180,000.[bullet ad=”hoppel-raised-trained”][bullet ad=”nytb-ny-bred-why-breed-anywhere-else”]
3–Taris, 124, f, 4, Flatter–Comedy, by Theatrical (Ire). ($90,000
Ylg ’12 KEESEP; $2,350,000 3yo ’14 FTKNOV).[bullet ad=”select-sales-hip-29-keenov”][bullet ad=”darbydan-shell”]
“TDN Rising Star” O-Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith & John
Magnier; B-Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (KY);
T-Simon Callaghan. $100,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 10.00, 6.70, 5.80.
Also Ran: Cavorting, Judy the Beauty, Merry Meadow, Room for Me, Stonetastic, Kiss to Remember, Sweet Whiskey, Dame Dorothy, Super Majesty, Fioretti, Artemis Agrotera.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.