Atchata First Winner for Louisiana Sire Apriority
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Atchata rolls to a 1 1/2-length win at Belmont Park to break her maiden in her second start and become her sire's first winner
In her second start at Belmont Park, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt's Atchata overcame a stumble at the start to score by 1 1/2 lengths in a June 15 maiden special weight on the turf to become the first winner for freshman sire Apriority.
Despite the stumble, the 2-year-old filly settled just off the pace behind Too Foofoo for You, who took the field through a quarter-mile in :22.08. Coming off the turn in the six-furlong race, Atchata rolled to the front unchallenged and caught the timer at :44.77 for the half-mile. Pulling away in the stretch, she finished the distance in 1:08.75 over the firm turf course.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Atchata was purchased under Heiligbrodt's East Hickman Racing for $85,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-year-olds in training sale, where Robert Brewer consigned her. She was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Sweet Jackie Jo.
Apriority raced from age 3 to 7 and won the 2011 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) as a 4-year-old. The son of Grand Slam retired with a record of 6-9-3 from 36 starts. Four of his second-place finishes were in stakes, including a nose difference in the 2011 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2). He also finished second to Morning Line in that year's Carter Handicap (G1).
Standing at Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana, Apriority has a 2018 stud fee of $2,000.