Competitive Edge Fillies Run 1-2 in Stillwater Stakes

Ashford Stud's grade 1 winner and freshman sire Competitive Edge  was represented by the top two finishers in the $97,000 Stillwater Stakes for New York-bred juvenile fillies July 18 at Saratoga Race Course.

My Italian Rabbi, who won the six-furlong contest by a nose, became the first black-type winner for both her sire and dam, Golden Miss, by Golden Missile. In second was the race's heavy favorite, Fierce Lady, who came into the Stillwater off a six-length victory in a June 22 maiden special weight at Belmont Park. 

Trained by Dermot Magner, Fierce Lady took command early in the Stillwater, but My Italian Rabbi went right with her, tracking no more than half a length behind and pressing the favorite all the way. They drew even with three furlongs remaining and battled down the stretch, with My Italian Rabbi just getting up by a nose at the wire. The final time was 1:10.31 on a fast track.

"I didn't know whether to root or not to root," said trainer Jeremiah Englehart about My Italian Rabbi. "Every time I rooted for her, it seemed like she would drop back a little bit. Then she started coming on, and just at that last jump, it looked like she was able to get the head bob. We probably didn't get the best Fierce Lady today; she'll probably be back and will be able to turn the tide. Kudos to Fierce Lady in defeat. I thought she ran really well."

Video: Stillwater S. (BT)

Englehart said he's looking at the $200,000 Seeking the Ante Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 23 for his filly's next start.

My Italian Rabbi was bred by Hidden Lake Farm and Anthony Grey. In 2017, the filly was offered at The Saratoga Fall Sale, Fasig-Tipton's New York fall mixed sale, but failed to sell on a final bid of $47,000. She went back through the auction ring at the 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sales Winter Mixed Sale and was sold by Summerfield for $60,000 to Three Diamonds Farm. 

Bluewater Sales offered her again at auction in the 2018 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale, where Travis Durr with Webb Carroll Training Center and Englehart teamed to buy her for $160,000. My Italian Rabbi is one of eight Competitive Edge yearlings to sell for six-figure prices.

Racing in the name of Al Gold's Gold Square, the filly is undefeated in two starts. My Italian Rabbi made her debut May 30 in a five-furlong, $62,000 maiden special weight at Belmont Park and won by 2 1/2 lengths in a smart :59.89. 

Golden Miss, an unplaced daughter of multiple stakes winner and stakes producer Notable Sword (Crusader Sword), has produced four winners from as many to race. The mare has a yearling filly by War Dancer  and did not have a foal this year. She was bred this year to Practical Joke . 

My Italian Rabbi's victory raised Competitive Edge's progeny earnings to $214,199, which puts him among the top five on BloodHorse.com's leading freshman sires list. The son of Super Saver  who won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Pat Day Mile Stakes (G3) on the way to earning $519,280 has been represented by three other winners this year out of 11 to race. Competitive Edge stood for $5,000 this year.