Stellar Wind Continues Strong Pegasus Preparations
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Stellar Wind at the Keeneland November sale
Stellar Wind continued to impress trainer Chad Brown the morning of Jan. 14 with her preparation for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), breezing five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center.
The breeze was the 6-year-old mare's sixth workout for the world's richest race Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park since joining Brown's stable.
"She worked a very strong five-eighths and galloped out a very strong three-quarters. She seems to be doing very, very well," Brown said. "Each week her breezes get a little bit stronger. She hasn't missed a beat since she's been in the barn."
Stellar Wind was purchased by M.V. Magnier for $6 million at the Keeneland November sale just days after finishing a troubled eighth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar. The daughter of Curlin , who has won 10 of 16 career starts and earned more than $2.2 million, won three grade 1's for trainer John Sadler and Hronis Racing.
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"She's all class. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel here. We're just trying to keep her happy and she's been a real sound horse since arriving," Brown said. "She was obviously well taken care of her whole career. She's been just a real pleasure to have in the barn. She's a terrific addition to our stable."
Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, will represent Coolmore in the second running of the Pegasus World Cup.
"We're excited about her chances in the Pegasus," Brown said. "It's a tall order. It's a tough, tough race, but she couldn't be doing any better."