A pair of OBS March Sale graduates posted stakes wins at Keeneland.
Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Joy’s Rocket took the lead at the start of Friday’s $125,000 Songbird Stakes, set a rapid pace, shook off pursuit after straightening away in the stretch and cruised home to a three length victory. It’s the second stakes win for the 2-year-old Florida-bred filly by Anthony’s Cross, purchased for $47,000 out of the GOP Racing Stable Corp. consignment at the 2020 March Sale after she breezed an eighth in :10 flat at the Under Tack Show. Now 5-3-1-0 for trainer Steve Asmussen, she has earned $184,444 to date. watch her under tack video
HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud’s Merneith was wide and off the pace in the early going of Saturday’s $125,000 Fort Springs Stakes, rallied on the outside down the stretch and was up in the final yards to win by a neck. It’s the first stakes victory for the graded stakes placed 3-year-old filly by American Pharoah, now 8-3-3-1 for trainer Bob Baffert with $201, 900 in earnings. Consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent, to the 2019 March Sale, she turned in an Under Tack quarter in :20 4/5 before she was purchased for $600,000 by Narvick International on behalf of her owner. watch her under tack video