Ceisteach Benefits From Trip in Dick Memorial
Image:
Description:
Glen Hill Farm and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings' Ceisteach proved her win in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs last time out wasn't a fluke when she captured the Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 11 at Delaware Park.
Ridden by Channing Hill for trainer Tom Proctor, Ceisteach now has three wins in five starts since her arrival in the United States from Ireland last year. The 4-year-old filly by New Approach out of the Noverre mare Ceist Eile was bred in Ireland by Jim Bolger.
Ceisteach sat just off the methodical pace set by Striking Style in the Dick Memorial, a 1 3/8-mile event for fillies and mares. She took over in the stretch and held off late-closing Queen's Parade to win by a head. Kitten's Point, part of the favored entry at even-money, finished three-quarter-lengths back in third.
The winner paid $13 as the third choice in a field of nine. The final time on a course rated firm was 2:16.97, well off the course record of 2:12.40 set in 1965.
"She took a nice couple of deep breaths for more around the three-eighths pole and she really fired turning for home," said Hill, who has been aboard Ceisteach for her three U.S. victories. "She is just real game. I still had plenty of horse left but for a second I thought (Queen's Parade) was going to go by me. But she dug in and was really game."
Ceisteach earned $120,000 for her win in the $200,500 Dick Memorial to push her bankroll over $200,000.