Jay Lieberman’s SABELLINA (Langfuhr) moved to the front turning for home and
just got the best of a stretch-long duel with Silca’s Sister (GB) (Inchinor [GB]) en
route to a tally in the $171,750
Cardinal H. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sunday.
Trained for the initial time by Charles Simon, the five-year-old mare was
prominent early, ranged up three-wide entering the far turn and showed
determination in taking her first open company stakes affair by a nose. The
final time for nine furlongs over the firm turf was 1:49 4/5, and the 9-1 shot
paid $20.60, $8.60 and $6.80 under Julien Leparoux.
Silca’s Sister established the early lead and fought back gamely when headed
turning for home as she was making her two-turn debut. The three-year-old lass
was sent off at 9-2 and rewarded backers with $6.20 and $5.20 while completing
the $139 exacta. Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) closed for the show
another 2 1/4 lengths back at 12-1, paying $7.80 while rounding out the $1,738.60 trifecta. Rich
in Spirit (Repriced), the lukewarm 7-2 choice, was never seriously
involved while another half-length back in fourth, sitting on the bottom of the
$5,158.40 superfecta (10-11-2-9). More Than Promised (More Than Ready) was next and
trailed by Dash of Humor (Distorted Humor), Stormina (Gulch), Black Java (Pine
Bluff), Amorama (Fr) (Sri Pekan), Beautiful Bets (Alphabet Soup) and Carolina
Sky (Sky Classic). Dynamist (Dynaformer) was withdrawn.
Sabellina upped her career mark to 32-7-5-4, with earnings of $515,190. The
mare owns stakes wins in the Mount Vernon H. and Yaddo H., with five other
black type placings to her credit.
The winner was bred in the Empire State by John Valentino, and is the third
registered foal produced from the multiple Grade 3-winning and Grade 1-placed Restored Hope (He’s Bad). Sabellina counts an unnamed two-year-old colt by Regal Classic and an unnamed
weanling filly by Strong Hope as half-siblings.