Celestine Seeks Honey Fox Repeat
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Celestine won the Sand Springs Stakes impressively in her season debut
After dispatching fellow grade 1 winner Catch a Glimpse in her 2017 debut, Moyglare Stud Farm's Celestine will look to continue her roll by defending her title in the $300,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park April 1.
The 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare was impressive in the Sand Springs Stakes March 3 at Gulfstream, where she set the pace, never gave in to the pressing Catch a Glimpse, and pulled clear to win by two lengths.
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The Sand Springs was the sixth stakes win for the Christophe Clemente trainee, following 2016 scores in the Longines Just a Game (G1T) and the Honey Fox, a race she took by 3 1/4 lengths in gate-to-wire fashion.
"She won the prep race and was very impressive," Clement said. "She has done well since. I think she is a better horse then she was a month ago. She loves firm turf. She has plenty of speed (and) Gulfstream is always very speed favoring. We're looking forward to seeing her run on Saturday."
The only other graded stakes winner in the field is Whitham Thoroughbtreds' homebred Linda, another daughter of Scat Daddy who will make her 4-year-old debut in the Honey Fox, following her Nov. 25 breakthrough in the Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs.
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"I gave her just over a month off after her last race and brought her back to training," said trainer Ian Wilkes. "She will run good. Is she ready to fire 100%? No. But she is ready to run."
Rounding out the field are multiple stakes winners Lori's Store, Josdesanimaux, and Mississippi Delta, along with graded stakes-placed Dad's Princess and allowance winner Inside Out.
Honey Fox S. (G2T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 10
- 1m
- Turf
- $300,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:25 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Lori's Store (FL) | Javier Castellano | 119 | Martin D. Wolfson | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Dad's Princess (KY) | Luis Saez | 117 | Patrick L. Biancone | 15/1 |
| 3 | 3Inside Out (KY) |
Paco Lopez | 117 | Martin D. Wolfson | 15/1 |
| 4 | 4Josdesanimaux (FL) | John R. Velazquez | 119 | Ralph E. Nicks | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5Celestine (KY) |
Jose L. Ortiz | 121 | Christophe Clement | 3/5 |
| 6 | 6Mississippi Delta (KY) | Jose Lezcano | 119 | Mark E. Casse | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7Linda (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 123 | Ian R. Wilkes | 5/1 |