Neige Blanche Rallies to CTT and TOC Score
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Neige Blanche wins the CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar
Neige Blanche rallied to win her second U.S. stakes Aug. 14 at Del Mar, powering past Tapwater while holding off Red Lark to take the $85,500 CTT and TOC Stakes.
A grade/group 3 winner in both her native France and California, Neige Blanche is trained by Leonard Powell for Madaket Stables, Laura De Seroux, Marsha Naify, and Mathilde Powell. She also placed in the 2020 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) after moving stateside last summer.
Juan Hernandez had the call on the 4-year-old daughter of Anodin in the 1 3/8-mile turf test for fillies and mares. He settled his mount off the pace along the inside while Ippodamia's Girl had the early lead over Tapwater. Fractions went in :25.78, :50.53, 1:16.30, and 1:41.94 through the first mile. Tapwater, the 2-1 favorite in the field of eight, then seized the lead and opened up by 1 1/2 lengths in the stretch.
After turning three wide into the straight, Neige Blanche rallied between horses and overtook Tapwater. Red Lark put in a rally of her own, but could only get within a half-length of Neige Blanche at the wire, though she did outfinish Tapwater by three-quarters of a length.
The final time over the firm turf was 2:17.45. Neige Blanche paid $9.40 to win.
The chestnut filly was bred in France by Ecurie du Sud out of the Muhtathir mare Bianca Neve. She has a career record of 5-0-3 from 13 starts and has earned $242,012.