The 2010 Eclipse champion two-year-old filly Awesome Feather brought her racing record to a perfect 9-for-9 this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, absolutely dominating five rivals in the $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff to win by five or six lengths.
Ridden to victory by regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez, the four-year-old daughter of Awesome of Course broke well and raced away to chase pace-setting Tiz the Argument into the first turn of the nine-furlong event. The two quickly opened up five lengths on the rest of the field, comprised of Delightful Mary, Sweet Repent, My Pal Chrisy, and Perfect Embrace.
The early fractions were very testing, as Tiz the Argument and Awesome Feather dueled through an opening quarter in :23.46 and a half-mile in :46.69. Their battle for the lead continued down the backstretch and around the final turn, where Awesome Feather finally kicked clear of her rival and briefly opened up on the field. But as Tiz the Argument tired, a new challenge arose from Delightful Mary, who was absolutely rocketing into contention as the field approached the homestretch and appeared capable of blowing right past the undefeated front-runner.
But Awesome Feather had a few more gears left, and as the field entered the homestretch Sanchez asked her to go. She responded with an explosive burst of speed that left Delightful Mary far behind. Following a mile in 1:36.21, Awesome Feather coasted home unchallenged to complete the race in 1:49.17. Delightful Mary held on to second over Sweet Repent, with My Pal Chrisy, Tiz the Argument, and Perfect Embrace completing the order of finish.
The winner is trained by Chad Brown and owned by Stronach Stables. She looks primed to have a very big year in 2012!
-Keelerman
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