Dialed In's First Starter is Winner
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Photo: Coady Photography/Churchill Downs
Maximum Edge is Dialed In's first starter and now first winner
The first starter for grade I winner and freshman sire Dialed In became his first winner in the first race May 20 at Churchill Downs.
The filly named Maximum Edge is owned by Bernard Schaeffer and trained by Bill Connelly. She faced four other challengers in a 4 1/2-furlong $44,000 maiden special weight. After the break, Maximum Edge stalked favorite Golden Mischief into the turn, floated wide heading into the stretch, and then hooked up with the pacesetter. They battled down the stretch with Maximum Edge getting the advantage at the wire by a neck. The final time was :51.44.
Maximum Edge was bred by Jim and Pam Robinson's Brandywine Farm. Her dam, Champagne Sparkle, is a half sister to grade I winner and millionaire Majestic Harbor (by Rockport Harbor) and a full sister to grade I winner and sire Danza (by Street Boss ).
Champagne Sparkle never raced because she never went into training. Her dam, Champagne Royale (by French Deputy), had already produced three winners from three foals of racing age when she was foaled, and the Robinsons' recognized Champagne Sparkle had more value in the broodmare band than on the racetrack. Then Danza came along and reenforced the value of that decision by winning the 2014 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) and finishing third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Now they had the opportunity to sell a graded-stakes-producing mare knowing a promising daughter was at the farm. Champagne Royale was sold through the 2014 Fasig-Tipton November sale for $825,000 to Town & Country Farms.
"We've been partial to Street Boss for some time, and Champagne Sparkle is the spitting image of her dam," said Pam Robinson. They bred the mare to Dialed In because of his balance, substance, and an affinity the couple has for his sire, 2003 Horse of the Year and champion older horse Mineshaft .
Maximum Edge was eventually offered at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale but was bought back for $95,000. She eventually sold for $160,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March 2-year-olds in training sale to agent Tim Kegel.
Champagne Sparkle had a colt by Spendthrift Farm's Malibu Moon this year and has been bred back to WinStar Farm's first-year sire Carpe Diem .
Dialed In, who won the 2011 Florida Derby (gr. I), stands at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington for $7,500.