After watch 1-9 favorite Elusive Heat crush race 8 at Gulfstream, all I can say is this filly is going to be a SUPERSTAR!
Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I was this excited by a young horse.
Cranking out fractions of 21.96, 44.51 and 56.58, she traveled 6f in 1:08.94—nearly a second faster than in her last race, the G3 Old Hat over this very course, and just a couple ticks off the track record. The most amazing thing was Alan Garcia—he most famously of the “vigorous handride”—sat on her like a stone (except to look back a couple times in the stretch)—NEVER MOVED AN INCH!
Considering her pedigree, it’s doubtful she can stretch out much beyond 7f, so I’m not envisioning Kentucky Oaks here. With the proper handling (which she will undoubtedly receive from Kiaran McLaughlin), she’s an easy winner of the G1 Test and G1 Prioress later this summer—and then maybe take on the older fillies and mares in the G1 Beldame, or better yet, the boys! Whether she can handle an artificial surface (such as Santa Anita’s ProRide) is a whole other question, but, boy, it’s going to be fun watching her run!
I got home from work early and was lucky see the race. . .she reminds me of her mama!!!
ReplyDeleteHow about that time! Amazing to run faster than 1:09 in only her third race. Xtra Heat must be proud of her girl!
ReplyDeleteI was excited too - nice result!
ReplyDeleteDRF is reporting McLaughlin is aiming her for the G3 Cicada at Aqueduct on March 14. Totally psyched!
ReplyDelete"I have no regrets about passing the stakes," said McLaughlin. "We want to do right by her in terms of experience and confidence. It was good to get a nice win into her."
Class act.
I picked her in the Old Hat, glad to see she bounced back strong.
ReplyDeleteDidn't see the race but over 13 lengths? A nose from being undefeated? She's a superstar in the making.
ReplyDeleteDoes this make GEMSWICK PARK and FROLIC'S DREAM a cinch exacta box in the G.2 Forward Gal tomorrow?
I heard she has her mama's style: explodes from the gate, tight cornering, and even to that hunkering down style when she's in the stretch run.
ReplyDeleteThis is too good to be true!
I couldn't care less about her distance limitations. Mama Heat was a genius at what she with sprint distances and I'm looking forward to some real thrills from her baby.