While the trainer of the last two victories of this event claimed three separate BC titles last season with one being the Distaff, it looks like this sophomore may very well be on her way to climb to that level this season.

• The Turf Distaff- Purse $110.000
• For Fillies and Mares Three Years old and Up
• One Mile and One Sixteenth in Distance- Turf Track

Kiwi Sunshine came to this feature event here at TAM on Sunday toting two victories to her credit in sprint affairs and was untested at anything better then a mile. But that didn’t stop the bay filly from showing that she was the real deal as a racer, as she would charge on to a one length victory here. Her final time of 1:40.05 was actually two tenths of a second faster then last years winner and half sister Grand Dragonville, who also took home her fourth Graded company win this weekend with the Gr. II Santa Ana Stakes.

Out of a sire that this trainer once had in his breeding barns, she has definitely found a home on the grass. Her full sister Ghostin placed third in her opener on the dirt and it will be interesting to see if the trainer takes the swing at moving her to the turf as well. Kiwi Sunshine is now two for two this season and three for four in her career. Her last morning work on the 22nd of this month at Parx was a sweet 1:34 and four handily on the turf, so distance will definitely not be a factor in her future. While she may gain some weight on her back in future affairs, I think it is almost certain she will gain victories as well.

Coming away with the runner-up placing would be La Canada Racehorses Czarina who I felt should of received more respect then the 6-1 odds she received come post time. Always showing up late for the party, I was surprised that when she hit the lane that rider Centeno left the rail to go to the outside. He found himself caught in between Graceful American ( Nakamura Stables )to his inside and Loch Awe ( The Sidley Stud) to his outside. When a hole finally opened up with just under a furlong to run, the distance was not enough to make up the necessary ground to the line. Hopefully she gets a more unimpeded journey next time out.

While Starbound ( Mb Stables ) would grab the lead away heading through the clubhouse turn and on to the backstretch, Graceful American kept her composure throughout this affair and found an opening along the rail in the stretch to finish third. One of two four year olds in this field, she was sent off as the 3-2 favorite, but the additional weight of 123 pounds probably played a factor. She was consistently a length or two shy throughout the event, only missing by a nose in the place photo.

The minor share was awarded to Loch Awe who took to the middle of the track for her run home, and would also close to within a length of the eventual winner. While she may only have one victory in twelve career starts, maturity may be starting to raise its head for her and we should see better things to come. Front runner Starbound would fade eventually to fifth place, while Army Flag ( Paradise Stables )stayed sixth throughout this event.

Track: Firm
Time: :23³  :47³  1:10⁴  1:40

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 5 – 1 Paid 53.50
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 1 – 3 Paid 190.20

Duffer

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded