The tote board got lit up in this one…  Sunday’s Yellow Ribbon Hcp (GII) was a break-out race for Three Little Birds as the Threshold trained 4yo filly closed from four lengths back at the top of the lane, scoring by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:39.93, just off of the stakes record set by Ali Sanlinea back in 2012.  Post time favorite Tiffany Warrior was second.

The small field of four were away cleanly with Tiffany Warrior showing early speed, Three Little Birds between horses, Aspiration from the rail and Shes A Dog under an early hold at the back of the pack.

They were now midway on the clubhouse turn with six furlongs to run and Tiffany Warrior skipped away to lead by three lengths.  Three Little Birds outside of Aspiration on the hedge, then a gap of four back to Shes A Dog, still under a snug hold.

The field made their way down the back stretch and now had a half mile to run, Tiffany Warrior looking like the 1/2 favorite, in front by five lengths.  Aspiration up the rail to stick a nose in front of Three Little Birds, still traveling in the two path, then three more back to Shes A Dog, still in hand.

Continue that way, swinging around the far turn and to the top of the lane, just three-sixteenths of a mile to run and Tiffany Warrior showing the way by three.  Three Little Birds sat down for the drive and starting to move a bit forward, Aspiration still clinging to the rail and Shes A Dog now asked to get into gear.

Nearing the sixteen pole, Tiffany Warrior was sending up a distress signal as her lead was now just a length and Three Little Birds was digging into it at every jump.  Shes A Dog had three lengths to make up and a short time to get it done, as Aspiration put the cue in the rack as she was done for the day.

Into the last 150-yards and to the wire, Three Little Birds went right on by the tiring Tiffany Warrior and took the win by nearly a length.  Tiffany Warrior did all of the heavy lifting but had to settle for the second spot, a length and a half clear of Shes A Dog with Aspiration closing this one out. 

Three Little Birds is a 4yo bay filly by Raise A Cowboy – Baby Tollbooth, by Tollbooth Willie, and she was bred in FL by Kopites.  Acquired by Threshold at the June 2013 Auction for $7.990, she now shows earnings of $266.480, and has seven wins from her fifteen lifetime starts, four of those wins coming this season.

$1 Exacta: 2 – 3 Paid 34.90
Scratched: None