Celestine All Class in Honey Fox

Moyglare Stud Farm’s Celestine ran true to her 3-10 odds in the Honey Fox Stakes (G2T) April 1 at Gulfstream Park.

Jose Ortiz was aboard the daughter of Scat Daddy who covered the mile in 1:35.19. Mississippi Delta was 1 1/4 lengths back in second.

Celestine, whose first graded stakes score came in last year’s Honey Fox, was bred by Deborah Holmes’ Phoenix Rising Farm. Celestine is out of the Monarchos mare Mona Mia.

Celestine was purchased by Moyglare Stud Farm in November for $2.55 million at the Keeneland November sale from the Taylor Made Sales Agency. She previously raced for Phaedrus Flights (James Bryan) and was trained by William Kaplan and later Bill Mott. She is now trained by Christophe Clement.

A winner of last year’s Longines Just a Game Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, Celestine tuned up for the Honey Fox with a two-length score over Canadian champion Catch a Glimpse in Gulfstream’s Sand Springs Stakes March 4.

Mississippi Delta broke first in the field of six Saturday, but Ortiz and Celestine took command of the early going as the field headed into the first turn. She was able to dictate the tempo, getting the opening quarter in :24.45 and the half in :49.01, while being tracked by Mississippi Delta and Josdesanimaux. Linda rallied to challenge in the final turn but Celestine was in complete control through six furlongs in 1:12.85.

In the lane Celestine hit the eighth pole in 1:23.93 and an :11.26 final eighth sealed the deal. Linda finished a length behind Mississippi Delta, and was followed by Josdesanimaux, Lori's Store, and Dad's Princess.

“She was the best filly; she ran a great race,” said Clement, who was winning the Honey Fox for the first time. “You’re not going to beat this filly if she’s the first one to dictate (the pace). She’s nice. I thought she was fitter today. She trained better. She was tighter and she ran great.”

Celestine paid $2.60, $2.40, and $2.10. Mississippi Delta returned $5.60 and $3.60, and Linda paid $2.20 to show.

Celestine now has a 8-2-2 record in 16 starts. The Honey Fox provided the 5-year-old with millionaire status as her earnings swelled to $1,069,655 after the victory.