E. P. Taylor Win 'Special' for Starship Jubilee, Attard
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Photo: Michael Burns
Starship Jubilee wins the E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine
New grade 1 winner and millionaire Starship Jubilee came to the Attard family via a claim at Gulfstream Park in February 2017, but to trainer Kevin Attard, the Oct. 12 E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) winner has been a standout for a long time.
"To be honest with you, she's been so consistent for such a long time I don't think of her as a $16,000 claimer at all, at any point," Attard said. "To see her come from where she has, that's an extra really special feeling as well. She's just been such a wonderful horse, and it's been a privilege training her. I can't say anything else. She's been so good to us."
Already a multiple grade 2 winner before Saturday's race at Woodbine, Starship Jubilee broke through at the top after stalking the pace and taking command to win by a length. She completed 1 1/4 miles on good turf in 2:03.29 under jockey Luis Contreras.
It was the first grade 1 win for Attard as a trainer. His father, Tino Attard, is also a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer.
"Waking up this morning just knowing we finally won a grade 1 is a pretty special feeling," Attard said.
Video: E. P. Taylor S. (G1T)
While Attard said this will be the last season of racing for 6-year-old Starship Jubilee, he plans to discuss a possible start in the Breeders' Cup the first weekend of November at Santa Anita Park with owner Blue Heaven Farm.
"Obviously, with it being three weeks away in California, it's a little bit more challenging. But I'm sure we'll discuss it, and we'll come to a decision, I guess, fairly quickly," Attard said.
Blue Heaven Farm privately purchased Starship Jubilee last fall. The daughter of Indy Wind—Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat, failed to meet her reserve after hammering at $425,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. She was claimed by Tino Attard and trained and raced under his name for three starts, then trained under Kevin Attard and was campaigned by him and Soli Mehta. Starship Jubilee made her first start for Blue Heaven Farm in December. Attard said Blue Heaven purchased Starship Jubilee with the intent to breed her.
Until her next move is decided, connections are pleased to see Starship Jubilee exit her first grade 1 in good order.
"She looked pretty good this morning, ate up really well, and walked the shed real nice this morning," Attard said, "so we're happy to see her come out of the race well."