Civil Union Holds Off My Sister Nat to Take Flower Bowl
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Civil Union holds off My Sister Nat to win the Flower Bowl Stakes at Belmont Park
Civil Union, who began this summer still eligible for a first-level allowance, is now eligible for a far more lucrative race: the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
The 5-year-old War Front mare earned a Breeders' Cup start by nipping My Sister Nat by a head in the $250,000 Flower Bowl Stakes Oct. 10 at Belmont Park. The race served as a Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifier for the Filly & Mare Turf, providing automatic paid entry, though winning trainer Shug McGaughey didn't immediately commit her after Saturday's race.
Civil Union utilized a ground-saving trip under Joe Rosario to prevail. Settling in sixth early, as Lovely Lucky set fractions of :48.93 and 1:14.36 in the 1 1/4-mile race, she angled out at the head of the stretch, then had clear sailing in front of her. The mare prevailed in a determined effort as My Sister Nat closed down the center of the course.
A homebred for Joseph Allen's Allen Stable, Civil Union raced the distance on firm turf in 2:01.28. She paid $8.10.
"I let her settle a bit because we were going a mile and a quarter, and tried to wait to the last part before I made my move turning for home," Rosario said. "I went inside a little bit and she handled everything well and then came out turning for home. It was good."
The victory was the second in the Flower Bowl for McGaughey, who won it in 2017 with the Allen-owned War Flag. McGaughey said he would observe how Civil Union comes out of the Flower Bowl before making a decision on the Breeders' Cup.
"It was probably a hard race on her, but she's a big and strong mare," he said. "I'll see what Mr. Allen wants to do. If she was doing as well as she's done all summer, it's probably worth giving (it) a whirl. But I'll just have to wait and see."
My Sister Nat settled for the place, three-quarters of a length ahead of Nay Lady Nay, who raced between rivals down the lane. Favored Cambier Parc, who pressed the pace, settled for fourth and was followed by La Signare, Beau Belle, and Lovely Lucky in the field of seven.
The victory was the fourth in a row for Civil Union, who notched an entry-level allowance at Belmont June 21 before adding the July 12 River Memories Stakes at Belmont and the Sept. 5 Glen Falls Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course.
McGaughey began training her this winter after she raced in 2018-19 for Chad Brown. She has now won five of eight starts and $386,810.
"When she started off this winter in Florida, I never imagined that she would be a grade 1 winner," McGaughey said. "I liked her race and I didn't really know what to expect. She's progressed the right way. It's fun. She's a nice mare to train and nice to be around."
Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Civil Union is one of five winners out of the unraced Unbridled's Song mare Photograph. Four of her foals have earned black type, led by Civil Union and her full brother, War Dispatch, who won the Prix de Guiche (G3) in France and became group 1 placed.
Civil Union was born and raised at Claiborne Farm, where her sire, War Front, stands at stud for $250,000. Allen raced War Front during the horse's graded-stakes winning career.
According to Claiborne, Civil Union is the sire's 23rd winner at the grade/group 1 level.