Miss Sky Warrior Holds On in Demoiselle

Arlene's Sun Star Stable's Miss Sky Warrior continues to find new gears during her steps up in class, turning back at late bid from favorite Jamyson 'n Ginger to capture the $300,000 Demoiselle Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-old fillies Nov. 26 by half-length at Aqueduct Race Course. 

Miss Sky Warrior was stepping into the 1 1/8 miles Demoiselle having already cleared her first stakes hurdle in the form of a three-quarter length victory in the Nov. 5 Tempted Stakes (gr. III) going one mile at Aqueduct. The early speed the daughter of First Samurai   has shown in her burgeoning career was on display again, as she led her eight challengers through opening fractions of :23.65 and :48.82 under Paco Lopez, with Libby's Tail applying mild pressure just to her outside.

As 9-5 pick Jamyson 'n Ginger rolled up three wide and put in her bid coming off the final turn, Miss Sky Warrior found more and opened up a handful of lengths in midstretch. She got leg weary late, but had just enough mettle in reserve to hit the wire in 1:53.34 for her third victory in four starts.

"Two turns was key for her, as opposed to the one-turn mile last time, where she had a right to get tired," said trainer Kelly Breen. "After this, we're going to give her some (rest and relaxation) and hope to have her back at Gulfstream Park in February.

"She's a game filly. If I have a thought in the back of my head of trying to get her to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), I'll start mapping it out. It would be great to go with a horse that's legit."

As an official prep race on the Road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks, the Demoiselle awards 10-4-2-1 qualifying points to the top four finishers.

Bred by Arlene London, Miss Sky Warrior finished fourth behind eventual Frizette Stakes (gr. I) winner Yellow Agate in her debut at Belmont Park Sept. 11, but broke her maiden by an eye-catching seven lengths next time out Oct. 15 at Parx Racing. 

"I knew she was a nice filly from when she ran at Belmont Park," Lopez said. "I made the lead briefly going into the first turn and heading into the second quarter we were going a bit slow, but I thought she was in a perfect position. I just waited."

Miss Sky Warrior paid $13.20, $6.20, and $4.40 across the board. Bonita Bianca came up for third with Libby's Tail, Majestic Bonnie, Elandess, Romantic Music, Spirituality, and Ladies Day completing the order of finish.