BackTrack: Seventh Street Shines in Apple Blossom

From A to Z, the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) has been a championship launching pad in the older female division this decade. Could lightly raced Seventh Street follow the path blazed by Azeri, who won the Apple Blossom a record three times (2002-04), or by the present-day queen of American racing, 2008 Apple Blossom winner Zenyatta?

Seventh Street's world-class connections certainly believe the 4-year-old daughter of Street Cry—Holiday Runner, by Meadowlake, has a chance to rattle some cages this year. The optimism is based largely on a sparkling victory April 4 in the Apple Blossom, Seventh Street's first stakes victory.

"This filly can be the best," said Rajiv Maragh, Seventh Street's regular rider. "I would think right now Zenyatta has been there and done that, and hopefully that's where this filly is going to take us. I would think we would be rated No. 2 behind her with this win."

Seventh Street's 5 3/4-length wire-to-wire victory represented the second-largest winning margin in the 44-year history of the race.

For Sheikh Mohammed, master of Darley's global breeding and racing operation, Seventh Street reinforced the adage that good things come to those who wait.

Seventh Street didn't debut until Jan. 31, 2008, and didn't tackle stakes company until Feb. 14 in the Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) at Laurel Park, which turned into a nightmarish trip for the filly, who would go on to finish second. It ultimately served as her Apple Blossom prep.

"This filly has always been held in very, very high regard," said Jimmy Bell, president of Darley USA. "She had a little hiccup—an injury that precluded her from running much last year—but Sheikh Mohammed thought enough of her potential and gave the green light to keep her training this year. I think having the sire, Street Cry, was personal to him, and he understood the potential this filly had not been able to show in the afternoon just yet."

Before the Barbara Fritchie, Seventh Street had stormed through her conditions at Aqueduct. She broke her maiden by four lengths Nov. 6, tallied an 8 1/4-length entry-level allowance/optional claiming score Nov. 30, then won a second-level allowance race Jan. 8 on the inner track—her first start around two turns—by 4 1/2 lengths.

Seventh Street's winning streak was essentially halted at the start of the Barbara Fritchie, when she reared and spotted the field "10 to 12" lengths, Maragh said. Seventh Street came flying late to miss by 1 3/4 lengths in the seven-furlong race.

"We had a very unfortunate break at the Barbara Fritchie," said assistant trainer Andrew St. Lawrence, who saddled Seventh Street in the Apple Blossom for Kiaran McLaughlin. "I mean, straight up in the air and spotting the field quite a few, and we were thinking shorter until that tremendous run."

Only five showed up for the Apple Blossom after several late defections, notably champion Proud Spell (swelling in her left rear ankle). The public made Acoma, a dazzling winner of the March 8 Azeri Stakes (G3), the 2-5 favorite. Seventh Street was the 2-1 second choice. The chances of Acoma, and the others, evaporated early as Seventh Street broke sharply and sailed through uncontested fractions of :24.18, :48.15, and 1:12.28.

Seventh Street was two lengths clear in midstretch and strong in the final furlong.

"From the first day I rode this filly, she's had a turn of foot like no other," Maragh said. "I don't remember being on a horse that can go from 0 to 60 in like, 'Boom!'"

Seventh Street's time over a fast track was 1:43.13 for the 1 1/16 miles. She carried 115 pounds, five less than the favorite. Well behind the soft pace, Acoma never was a factor and checked in third, 5 3/4 lengths behind Superior Storm.

"I think Rajiv Maragh stole the race," said Acoma's jockey, Julien Leparoux. "He rode a very good race."

Seventh Street won for the fourth time in six lifetime starts and raised her earnings to $416,000.

John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor, purchased Seventh Street for $1 million at Fasig-Tipton Florida's select sale of 2-year-olds in training at Calder.

"This is a filly that had always given the indication she was a Saturday afternoon filly," Bell said. "We're in a great position with Sheikh Mohammed to give these individuals all the time to show that talent. Any grade 1 is extremely special in its own right, and to have a filly run by the boss' sire Street Cry and what he's doing, is truly icing on the cake."

Bell said Seventh Street could make her next start May 1 in the $350,000 Louisville Distaff (G2) at Churchill Downs or in the May 16 Shuvee Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park.