Needs Supervision Takes Control in Silverbulletday
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Photo: Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir
Needs Supervision wins the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course
Needs Supervision handled her first step into stakes company with aplomb Jan. 19, landing the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots despite a late challenge.
Trained by Jeremiah O'Dwyer, the daughter of Paynter broke well from post 5 in the field of seven sophomore fillies. Racing in the four path around the first turn, she tracked the pace on the outside in third behind early leader Fun Finder, who set opening fractions of :24.12 and :49.57.
Settling into her stalking trip as they entered the far turn, Needs Supervision edged past Fun Finder and shifted into second behind Liora to make her final bid for the lead at the quarter pole. She took command at the top of the stretch and pulled away from her rivals before Eres Tu shot forward five wide with a massive kick to challenge on the outside.
Eres Tu battled with the leader to the wire, but Needs Supervision dug in to finish three-quarters of a length ahead for her third consecutive victory. The final time for a mile and 70 yards was 1:45.34.
"I more or less stayed out of her way," jockey Joe Rocco Jr. said. "She stumbled leaving the gate, and I was a little worried then, but she picked herself up right away and put us in a good spot."
Grandaria was third. Liora, Cowgirls Like Us, Mandy Blue, and Fun Finder completed the order of finish.
Owned solely by Howling Pigeon Farms for her first three starts, Needs Supervision now races for that operation, Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Madaket Stables. She entered Saturday's race off a five-length romp in a Nov. 24 optional-claiming allowance race at Churchill Downs where she beat the stakes-placed Jimmy Creed filly Meadow Dance.
"We owned a part of (Meadow Dance) when she was stakes-placed, but Needs Supervision went by her like she was tied to a post," said agent Bradley Weisbord. "Meadow Dance was even money that day, and when a horse wins like that, it's something that hits our radar. My partner Liz Crow started to inquire about buying in. Our other friends of ours, Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel, were completing their deal, and we went in and joined them in their purchase. It was a great way to come together with a great ownership group."
Needs Supervision picked up 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. She was bred in Kentucky by Mike Abraham out of the Carson City mare Moroccan Rose, and was a $55,000 purchase by O'Dwyer at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where she was consigned by Hidden Brook. McMahon & Hill Bloodstock pinhooked her to the Midlantic sale after picking her up for $22,000 from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
"I was confident because of the type of filly she has been from day one," O'Dwyer said. "Different bunch today while stepping up in class against nice fillies, and she proved today she can handle any surface. I'll have to discuss (the next step) with the owners."