Fair Maiden newest Grade 1 winner for Street Boss
Grade 1-placed on the turf last year as a juvenile, Fair Maiden (USA) became the newest Group 1 winner for Street Boss (USA) on Saturday in the G1 La Brea S. at Santa Anita.
The Godolphin homebred raced wide in midpack in the 1400 metre race early on before weaving her waythrough traffic as they entered the far turn. The 3-year-old filly found herself wide again in the stretch as she easily passed much of the field under a hand ride to win by 2.25l for her second career stakes victory.
Constitution’s (USA) Golden Principal (USA) was second, ahead of American Pharoah’s (USA) Merneith (USA).
“I didn’t want to keep taking her up to Woodbine so I found a spot in Churchhill and that was a big question mark as to whether she would handle it there and she did,” said trainer Eoin Harty. “She was super professional that day and gave me a lot of confidence in bringing her out here for this."
The seventh worldwide Grade 1 winner for Darley’s shuttle stallion Street Boss, Fair Maiden is out of a half-sister to the stakes-placed Twilight Curfew (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}).
That pair are granddaughters of dual Grade 1 winner Secret Status (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}), who also produced the Grade 1-placed Dunkirk (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}).
Charlatan romps in Malibu
Making his first start since May’s G1 Arkansas Derby, Charlatan (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) showed he was as good as ever with a 4.75l romp in the 1400 metre G1 Runhappy Malibu S. at Santa Anita.
Shadowing fellow Speightstown (USA) runner Nashville (USA) for much of the run, the colt galloped comfortably under Mike Smith. Asked to draw alongside Nashville in the turn, it didn’t take long for Charlatan to take command and romp home by 4.75l over Express Train (USA) (Union Rags {USA}).
Owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Fred Hertrich, III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables, it was the second straight time the colt has finished first in a Grade 1, though he suffered a disqualification in his maiden Grade 1 win. Off due to injury after that race, Charlatan took his record to three-from-four with the Malibu victory.
“To run against these types of horses was a feat itself, but I always thought he was a special horse,” said Smith. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch him, California is his home base, so I’ve seen a lot of him and always wanted a chance to ride him. When Bob told me I got the call, man I’ve been kind of on cloud nine ever since. He is extremely special.”
By top sire Speightstown, the colt is one of two stakes winners from two to race out of Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Authenticity (USA) (Quiet American {USA}). The sire of two Australian runners, Speightstown is also the sire of OTI Racing’s recent Listed Sandown Cup third San Huberto (Ire).
Animal Kingdom’s Duopoly wins American Oaks
Former Arrowfield stallion Animal Kingdom (USA) registered his third worldwide Group 1 winner on Saturday when Duopoly (USA) won the G1 American Oaks S. at Santa Anita for her first group victory.
Happily leading the field throughout the 2400 metre race, Duopoly was challenged as she entered the stretch but found another gear to easily pull away. The filly went on to win by 2l over Going To Vegas (USA) (Goldencents {USA}) with Sharing (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) third.
“She was full of herself and travelling perfect,” said jockey Flavin Prat. “When I asked her she really kicked in. She never really ran the distance but I guess [trainer] Chad Brown doesn’t come down here just to race.”
One of seven Group winners by Animal Kingdom, Duopoly is one of two winners out of the Grade 3 winner Justaroundmidnight (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
