Melair Stakes – $150.000

SA – Dirt – 1 ½ Mile

For Fillies Three Years Old Foaled in CA

May 28, 2023

Water Demon broke near the lead and stayed there for the entire mile and a half distance. Proud Passion led the way early and pulled away by three lengths as the field hit the finish line the first time. Water Demon sat patiently in second with Bravo My Beast and Nijinsky to her outside. Into the backstretch the second time, Proud Passion started coming back to the field. Water Demon started separating herself from the pack with Nijinsky tracking her. With a half mile to run, Water Demon and Nijinsky swung to the outside and set their sites on the leader. Almost four lengths separated these three from the rest of the field.

The three entered the stretch stride for stride. Water Demon and Nijinsky battled through the last furlong and it looked like Nijinsky had the advantage. But Water Demon hit another gear and pulled away to win by ¾ of a length.

Complete Order of Finish

1 Water Demon (Chili King Stables) Stalked the pace, then pulled away in the stretch.

2 Nijinsky (Team 7 Illusions) Led briefly but was outrun in deep stretch.

3 Proud Passion (South Shore Stables) Set the pace until the stretch where he faded to third.

4 Cynosure (Night Rider Stables) Trailed early, got up late for fourth.

5 On Stages (Night Rider Stables) Never a factor.

6 Bravo My Beast (Waldo) Never a factor.

Chili King Stables’ homebred, Water Demon, is by Count The Stars x Honey Farley (Charley Farley). The win was her fourth in ten starts and brings her career earnings to $218.750. Congratulations to Water Demon and Chili King Stables!

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded