Amanzi Yimpilo Beats Boys in Speakeasy
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Amanzi Yimpilo holds on in the Speakeasy Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Trainer Wesley Ward entered this month with a few possible starters for the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Keeneland.
Now he has added another.
Amanzi Yimpilo punched her Breeders' Cup ticket by winning the $102,000 Speakeasy Stakes Sept. 26 at Santa Anita Park, a Breeders' Cup Challenge event.
The speedy 2-year-old filly lasted by a head over Wyfire in a tight finish that resulted in Windy City Red finishing third and favored Commander Khai running fourth, beaten less than a length. The winner raced about 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf under Luis Saez in 1:02.77.
A first-out maiden turf sprint winner June 10 at Gulfstream Park, Amanzi Yimpilo was most recently third in the Aug. 19 Bolton Landing Stakes, also at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, at Saratoga Race Course.
"She was pretty nervous behind the gate, we had a little trouble, but I knew she was ready," said Saez. "I could feel the power."
Off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of nine that included one other filly, Amanzi Yimpilo paid $7.20.
"It's on to the Breeders’ Cup, we hope," said Blake Heap, assistant to Ward.
A chestnut daughter of No Nay Never bred in Ireland by Longueville Bloodstock and Matrix Bloodstock, Amanzi Yimpilo is owned by Susan Moulton, Marc Detampel, and CJ Thoroughbreds. She was purchased at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Hunter Valley Farm's consignment for $300,000 by bloodstock agent Ben McElroy, acting on behalf of Ward.
She is the first stakes winner from two foals to race out of the Galileo mare Honourably.