A pair of 2019 OBS April Sale graduates posted graded stakes wins at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
Slam Dunk Racing, Doug Branham and Legacy Ranch Inc.’s unbeaten Tonalist’s Shape took a giant step on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a frontrunning victory in the $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2), taking the lead at the start, opening daylight in the stretch and cruising to victory by a length and a quarter. It’s the second graded stakes win for the 3-year-old daughter of Tonalist, consigned by Niall Brennan Stables, Agent, she went through the ring after breezing an eighth in :10 2/5 at the Under Tack Show. Now five for five with three stakes wins for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. she has earned $309,390 to date. watch her under tack video
Teresa Palmer and David J. Palmer’s Cheermeister took the lead at the start of the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) and stayed there until the wire, turning back favored Abscond by three quarters of a length. That’s two straight graded stakes wins for the 3-year-old filly by Bodemeister, trained by Armando De La Cerda, now 5-4-0-0 with $216,620 in earnings. Consigned by Winners Circle Thoroughbreds LLC, she went through the ring after turning in an Under Tack eighth in :10 1/5. watch her under tack video
Mark Norman and Norman Stables LLC’s Shes Our Fastest moved to contention on the turn in Friday’s $70,600 Owner Appreciation Distaff Stakes at Delta Downs, took command after straightening away in the stretch and held off a late charge to score by three quarters of a length, with fellow OBS graduate Operatic (April ’16, August ’15) rallying for third. It’s the fifth stakes win for the 5-year-old daughter of Oratory, trained by Scott Gelner, now 24-8-6-5 with $321,310 in earnings. She sped an Under Tack quarter in :21 flat before she was purchased for $50,000 out of the Stephens Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2017 OBS June Sale. watch her under tack video