Two High-Priced Fillies Break Their Maidens
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
No Ordinary Time breaks her maiden at Gulfstream Park
This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners in particular who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.
Gulfstream
Allen Stable's No Ordinary Time , a $600,000 yearling purchase, gave her connections reason to celebrate March 27, winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden race for 3-year-old fillies on the turf at Gulfstream Park.
Trained by Shug McGaughey, the Frosted filly had improved with each of her three previous starts, finishing fourth at Saratoga Race Course in September, then third in an off-the-turf race at Belmont Park in October. She kicked off 2021 at Gulfstream Jan. 24 with a runner-up finish in a one-mile turf contest before winning Saturday.
Jockey Julien Leparoux settled the filly in midpack of the 12-horse field behind fractions of :23.41 and :47.62 for the first half-mile. Still fourth in the stretch, No Ordinary Time gobbled up ground to duel with the leader, posting a half-length win in a final time of 1:42.09 on a firm course.
Bred by Hinkle Farms, No Ordinary Time is out of the Storm Cat mare Crosswinds, who is also the dam of 2016 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Weep No More and grade 3 winner Current . Crosswinds is herself a daughter of 2001 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1) winner Flute —both mares were bred by Juddmonte Farms.
No Ordinary Time sold to Northshore Bloodstock, agent, for the six-figure price tag during the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale where she was consigned by her breeder.
Sam Houston
Stonestreet Stables and trainer Brad Cox partnered up to win a five-furlong maiden test on the turf with Vincaia , who went wire to wire to win her third start Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park.
Ridden by Ry Eikleberry, Vincaia went straight to the lead after the break and set fractions of :21.81 and :44.55 for the half. Leading in the stretch by a half-length, she widened that margin to finish two lengths ahead in a final time of :56.72 on firm turf.
Bred by Machmer Hall and D + J Stables, Vincaia is out of the unraced Unbridled's Song mare Song Collection, a full sister to grade 2 winner and sire Old Fashioned . Her second dam, Collect Call, was a graded stakes winner that placed third in the 2001 Kentucky Oaks and the 2002 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (G1) and Vanity Handicap (G1).
Consigned to the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale by Eddie Woods, the daughter of Bernardini was bought by Stonestreet for $575,000.
Vincaia breaks her maiden at Sam Houston
In her Jan. 18 debut, Vincaia finished off the board at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. She returned March 3 to finish second at Sam Houston.
Santa Anita
Starship Defiant won her debut easily March 26 at Santa Anita Park, taking a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race for California-bred or -sired fillies and mares, 3 and older.
Trained by Bob Hess Jr. for Starship Stables, the Empire Way filly raced to the lead after the break under jockey Juan Hernandez and set fractions of :21.93, :45.48, and :57.83 through five furlongs. She completed the distance in 1:04.29 on the fast track, 3 1/2 lengths ahead.
Bred by Terry Lovingier, Starship Defiant is the second foal out of the Street Boss mare Bossy Belle. Her older half brother Phantom Boss won the 2019 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3).
Tampa Bay
On March 28, Penny Lopez' Oh Steve won his third start at Tampa Bay Downs, a six-furlong maiden test for 3-year-olds, by 5 3/4 lengths for trainer Angel Lopez.
Oh Steve, a son of Bernardini and the unraced Mr. Greeley mare Triumphantly, is a half brother to grade 3 winner Trouble Kid .
The colt raced in third under Paco Lopez as early fractions went in :22.60 and :45.89 before he took over the lead and was ridden out in the stretch to stop the clock in 1:10.88 on a fast track.
Oh Steve finished second in his Feb. 6 debut and then followed it up with a third March 6. He was bred by Godolphin and Fairway Farm.