Grade 1 Winner Wicked Whisper Retired
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Wicked Whisper rolls to a front-running victory in the 2019 Frizette Stakes at Belmont Park
Grade 1 winner Wicked Whisper, fifth in the Jan. 23 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park, has been retired.
A half sister to grade 2 winner Point of Honor out of the Bernardini mare Zayanna, the Liam's Map filly was a "wow" horse to owner Alex Lieblong when he bought her for $500,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She lived up to expectations, romping by 6 1/4 lengths first time out as a 2-year-old at Saratoga Race Course for trainer Steve Asmussen, then winning the 2019 Frizette Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.
"When she won first time out at Saratoga it was awfully nice, and she looked good doing it," Lieblong recalled. "You have a horse you paid above average money for, and she actually performed to her price."
Wicked Whisper was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). In her third start at 3, she found the winner's circle again when she took the 2020 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3). She retires sound and will visit Uncle Mo .
"Looking at some of Uncle Mo's sons, they've proven to be pretty decent sires at this point between Nyquist and Outwork ," said Lieblong. "I thought breeding to him might stretch her out just a tic. He was the one I really wanted.
"We'll see if she can do it as a broodmare, and I think she will. Her family is very good."