TYRO S., $78,000, Monmouth, 8-3, 2yo, 5fT, :57.08, fm.
1–KARAK, 115, f, 2, by Karakontie+%28Jpn%29">Karakontie (Jpn)
1st Dam: Down The Well (Ire), by Mujadil
2nd Dam: Batchelor's Button, by Kenmare (Fr)
3rd Dam: Boutonniere, by Sir Gaylord
($22,000 Wlg '17 KEENOV; $30,000 RNA Ylg '18 KEESEP;
$365,000 2yo '19 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Breeze
Easy, LLC; B-Parrish Hill Farm, Amanda Roach Cole &
Karakontie Syndicate (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-Nik Juarez.
$45,000. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $95,000. *1/2 to Aqua
Frio (Uncle Mo), SW, $191,007.
2–Now Is, 116, c, 2, Sidney's Candy–Aberdeen Alley, by
Distorted Humor. O-Phillip A. Gleaves, Bryan Hilliard, Steven
Crist, Ken deRegt & Steve Tammariello; B/T-Phil Gleaves (KY); $15,000.
3–Shield of Faith, 118, g, 2, King Puma–Windy Acres, by Mr.
Nugget. O-Glenn R. Thompson; B-Quiet Winter Farm (NJ);
T-Glenn R. Thompson. $10,500.
Margins: 2HF, 1 3/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.70, 9.10, 11.90.
Also Ran: Ryan's Cat, Slap Happy (Ire), Gravel Road. Scratched: Dixie Mo, Foolish Humor.
Karak became the first stakes winner for her freshman sire with her resounding victory at the Jersey Shore oval. Tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' after a front-running three-length debut win at Belmont Park May 25, the bay filly traveled to Royal Ascot and finished 15th in the June 19 Windsor Castle S. last time out. Facing lighter competition back in the States, she was one of only two fillies in the field along with stablemate Slap Happy (Kodiac {Ire}). The heavy 3-5 favorite prompted a blistering opening quarter set by Ryan's Cat (Kitten's Joy) in :20.03 over the firm turf course. Overtaking the leader after a half in :44.24, she stormed clear a 2 1/2 length winner despite drifting out late. Now Is rallied smartly for second.
“Even though this filly has a lot of speed I was hoping for someone to follow and hook onto, just the way we were able to do,” said jockey Nik Juarez. “When Ryan's Cat was out there flying and we were just off of that one I had a nice hold on my filly. When I got to the turn she started making up ground willingly. Heading into the lane, as soon as I asked her, she proved herself to be much the best today.”
Karak has a yearling half-sister by Violence and half-brother by Animal Kingdom born this term. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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