Godolphin, Bernardini Dominate Aiken Trials
Description:
Godolphin-owned 2-year-olds by Central Kentucky sire Bernardini ruled divisions for maiden colts and maiden fillies March 14 at the 73rd Aiken Trials, an annual spring ritual for the more than seven decades at the Aiken training track in South Carolina.
This year's trials offered four divisions for Thoroughbreds, including an open trial for 2-year-old maidens and one for 3-year-olds and older. The program drew an estimated crowd of 4,600 hoping to see a top racehorse in the making as there have been 39 champions to train over the track since 1941.
Godolphin runners led by Indulgent, a Bernardini half sister to Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Frosted, swept the top three spots in the day's first trial, the Danny Furr Memorial Trophy for maiden 2-year-old fillies. Produced from two-time grade II winner Fleet Lady (by Avenue of Flags), a half sister to multiple grade I winner Midshipman , the winner was timed in :25 3/5 under Jordan Pruiksma in the quarter-mile test. Second was an unnamed filly (Street Cry—Nalani) and third was Great Import (Discreet Cat —Trade Only).
Godolphin runners, all by Bernardini, dominated the Bruce Duchossois Memorial Trophy for 2-year-old maiden colts. First-place finisher Trade Zone covered the quarter-mile in :24 flat with Rebekah Hammond aboard. His dam is the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Connie Belle, a half sister to grade I winner Bob and John . Respective second- and third-place finishers were stablemates James Lane (out of Brushed Gold) and Numbered (out of Seventh Street).
Godolphin's runners in Aiken are trained by Tim Jones.
Brooke Bowman's unnamed filly by Love of Money outran males in winning the Coward Trophy, the open division for maiden juveniles. The youngster finished the quarter-mile trip in :23 4/5 with Adan Moreno, leading in a 1-2-3 finish for trainer Cary Frommer. Her dam is the unraced Partner's Hero mare My Rib, who also produced 2014 Maryland Million Lassie winner My Magician, by Street Magician. The runner-up was Charisma Stables' Dothat Dance (Louis Quatorze—Guess The Dance), and Dunbarton Stable's Aiken Alley (Flower Alley—Bragadocious) was third.
Dogwood Stable's Glowing Ember won the day's finale, the City of Aiken Trophy for 3-year-olds and up. The 5-year-old Bernstein gelding completed the 4 1/2-furlong test in :53 flat with Gene Tucker riding for trainer Brad Stauffer. The winner's dam is the placed Elusive Quality mare Fanfire, a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Straight Story from the family of grade I winner and 2013 Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady. Aimee Bohlman's Bubuzela (Rockport Harbor—Maemy) was second, and Dunbarton Stable's St. Thaddeus (Love of Money—Glowing Honour) secured third.