Plum Ali Remains Undefeated in Miss Grillo
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta
Plum Ali wins the Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont Park
Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables' juvenile filly Plum Ali remains undefeated in three starts following her first try at the graded level in the $145,500 Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) Oct. 4 at Belmont Park.
The daughter of First Samurai saved ground with a rail trip by Jose Ortiz in the 1 1/16-mile turf event. Oritz tipped Plum Ali out when turning for home, and she ran past frontrunner Caldee and on to a 2 1/4-length victory.
"She's a very nice filly. She's won in different scenarios, different tracks, and different jockeys," trainer Christophe Clement said. "That's what good horses do. They face the challenge and they win. It's very exciting. It's nice when they keep facing these things and win. (At the top of the stretch) the (top)-three finishers were together, so nobody has any excuses."
"Christophe always said to me she was the nicest 2-year-old turf filly in the barn," Dubb said. "We knew this winter when she was on the farm that she was above average, but we didn't know how good she was.
"She seems, with every race, to be maturing. She had more composure in the paddock today. She's just going forward the right way, and we hope we can get one more race out of her this year."
Plum Ali was on the rail in fourth through the opening quarter-mile and moved up a position at each point of call as Caldee set fractions of :24.81, :48.06, and 1:11.38 through three-quarters. Ortiz guided Plum Ali to the outside of Caldee as they turned into the stretch, and his filly continued on to take over the lead. Plum Ali was clear of her rivals as she hit the wire in 1:42.03 on the firm turf.
"She's very classy. I had the opportunity to work her twice and got to know her a little bit these past couple of weeks," Ortiz said. "The first week, she worked well. The second week, she worked amazing. She gave me a lot of confidence going into the race. She had a great trip and I followed the right horse, and when I was ready to make my move, I did."
Caldee fended off a late bid from Editor At Large to remain second by a nose. Another 15 1/2 lengths behind, Mashnee Girl was fourth. Director's Cut completed the order of finish.
Clement did not rule out the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Keeneland for Plum Ali.
"Just like anything else, I'll only go to the Breeders' Cup if she's training great and doing great. I'm very happy. She's done everything right," he said.
Plum Ali was purchased by Cromwell Bloodstock for $65,000 from Stone Farm at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She won first out July 23 going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga Race Course, then traveled to Kentucky Downs to add the Mint Juvenile Fillies Stakes at a mile. She has earned $413,500 from her three wins.
Bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm, Plum Ali is the second foal out of the Stroll mare Skipping and had a full sister born in April. Skipping also has a yearling filly by Lemon Drop Kid and was reported bred this year to Mastery .