1st-Keeneland, $100,000, Msw, 4-14, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.94, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
SWEET CHERRY PIE (c, 3, Twirling Candy–Sweet Cat {MGSP, $232,950}, by Kitten's Joy) clearly had no qualms about facing older horses in just his second start off a troubled fourth-place debut at Gulfstream Park six weeks ago, checking in behind the highly regarded winner Scotland (Good Magic). Cutting back a furlong off his Florida debut at seven-eighths, the Kentucky-bred showed early speed right out of the gate and raced closest to the rail as he battled with Cape Trafalgar (Lord Nelson) for the early lead up the backstretch, with Nasty Habit (Violence) and the 4-5 favored Global Stage (Street Sense) up close and pressing the two early leaders. The winner took the lead around the bend and posted the half-mile in :45.78 as he straightened out for the drive, and despite not swapping leads down the lane, pulled away to the handy 2 1/4-length victory over the favorite at odds of 4-1. Sweet Cherry Pie's dam, Sweet Cat, sold for $45,000 in 2019 while carrying him just yards from the Keeneland winner's circle and he is her last reported foal. Sales History: $32,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $175,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $62,475. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-BBN Racing, LLC; B-Theta Holding I, Inc (KY); T-George R. Arnold, II.
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