Sarah Sis Returns to Winning Ways in Chicago
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Photo: Four Footed Fotos
Sarah Sis leads the way to victory in the Chicago Handicap
Grade II victress Sarah Sis returned to her winning ways June 25 with a gate-to-wire run in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (gr. III) at Arlington International Racecourse.
The score under jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. was the first for Sarah Sis since she took the Lexus Raven Run (gr. II) five starts back at Keeneland last October, her best victory to date in 18 outings.
"I pretty much was a passenger; she was ready to go," Valdivia said of the Ingrid Mason trainee, who races for Rags Racing Stable.
Sarah Sis broke alertly from post 5 as the 9-5 favorite in a group of nine, and set opening fractions of :23.35 and :46.92 with 6-1 Kathballu in close pursuit. Kathballu chased all the way home through three-quarters in 1:10.87, but could not get to the winner, who kicked clear by a length in the final furlong.
Time for seven furlongs on the all-weather track was 1:23.16. Sarah Sis returned $5.60, $3.60, and $2.60 while Kathballu brought $5.60 and $4. You Bought Her, worth $3.40, rounded out the trifecta. Minks Aprise, Seeking Treasure, Run Zippy Run, Tiz Lately, City of Trix, and Sweetsoutherndame completed the order of finish.
"She was so kind feeling the pressure," Valdivia added of the winner. "I felt like I was loaded, and I knew when I called on her, she'd be ready for me."
Bred in Kentucky by Catherine Rene White from the Gilded Time mare Emerald Gal—and a $20,000 purchase from the 2014 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s June 2-year-olds and horses of racing age sale—4-year-old Sarah Sis has seven wins and four seconds from those 18 starts.
The Sharp Humor filly came off an eighth in the Humana Distaff (gr. I) May 7 at Churchill Downs, where last year she was eased in the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Sarah Sis did finish fourth in her only other grade I start, the 2015 Ballerina (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, and Mason still has hopes of high-level glory.
"She likes Keeneland a lot, and also I think she likes Saratoga as well," Mason said. "We're going to try to get a grade I this year."