Via Steve Sherack
In this continuing series, Steve Sherack, Senior Editor of TDN follows the top horses on the sidelines.
Hybrid Gainesway spending (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}–Spanish Bunny, of Unusual Heat)–discarded since posting an overwhelming 4 1/2 win for coach Graham Motion in GI Del Mar Oaks in August–will return for a campaign 4 years old early – target season by GI Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland.
“She left that last race with a few minor issues and we gave her some time,” said Alex Solis II, Gainesway’s Director of Bloodstock and Racing.
“Actually, she just went back to see Graham about two weeks ago in Fair Hill. He’s going to bring her back and the goal I’m sure will be to try to run her in that Class I at Keeneland during the spring encounter. Whether he wants to prepare her or she will get straight to the point is up to Graham.
After starting her career with two wins on the Gulf lawn, including a pre-run in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. On March 5, Spendarella won a perfect three-three in the GII Appalachian S’s. Keeneland. April 9. She lost little if anything while suffering the only defeat of her brilliant career to date, finishing in a respectable second to the heroine three times in Group 1 Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) during the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17. Spendarella returned two months later and announced the career-best 91 Beyer Speed Image in her aforementioned win at Del Mar.
“From the very beginning, we had high hopes,” Solis said. “She is an important girl to [Gainesway CEO] Antony [Beck]–she is a descendant and she is your child. He enjoyed it all the way.
Already responsible for GI American Oaks heroine Queen of Spain (Tribal Rule), the winning California-Spanish mare brought in $130,000 from Gainesway at the November 2015 Sale by Keeneland.
Currently in pony age and carrying a half-brother to Spendarella, Spanish Bunny has also produced 4-year-old Spanish love dogs MSW & MGSP (Karakontie {Jpn}), who brought in $600,000 from Shadai Farm during last month’s KEENOV sale. Spanish Bunny has a pony Uncle Mo in 2022.
As for Spendarella, Solis concludes, “The ranchers’ cup is in California [at Santa Anita] next year and we know she’ll handle the solid groundwork. She proved it at Del Mar Oaks that she really liked it. There are a lot of options on the table for next year and the whole team is really looking forward to that.”
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Alex Solis II, Antony Beck, APB, Del Mar Oaks, achieve, Graham Motion, Jenny Wiley S., Karakontie (Jpn), Keeneland, spending.
