By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Zona Verde in a maiden race as the Del Mar meet wound to a close.
Seeing Green At The Seaside
The Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables and Michael Nentwig's Zona Verde (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) graduated at Del Mar in her U.S. debut on Friday (video).
Bred by Knockainey Stud, the 30,000gns Tattersalls October Book 3 buy-back raced in their purple-and-gold-checked silks for her first four starts, which were good for a pair of placings. Transferred from the yard of Ken Condon to Phil D'Amato, the second foal out of the winning Dark Angel (Ire) mare Namibie (GB) is a half-sister to a pair of colts–a yearling by Earthlight (Ire) and a weanling by Waldgeist (GB). Her second dam is the G3 Prix du Calvados heroine Mambia (GB) (Aldebaran).
One of 13 winners for her Coolmore Stud-based freshman sire, the filly is his second winner in America from three runners (66%). His first, Angiolleta (Ire), is also out of a Dark Angel mare and took third in the Listed Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf S.
ZONA VERDE (IRE) ($9.40) got a great trip under @umbyrispoli to win @DelMarRacing race 7. Trainer @PhilDamato11 had this 2-year-old Calyx (GB) filly ready today.
One more at Del Mar tonight, wager on https://t.co/nBYFHiPrdh! pic.twitter.com/4XZMV18NNZ
— TVG (@TVG) September 9, 2023
Honourable Mention
Bregman Family Racing, LLC & WWBD LLC's No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never) won for the third time in four starts with a victory in the Exacta Systems Rosie's S. (video). First featured in this column in May, this colt has won a trio of American stakes, with his only blip a ninth in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot.
NO NAY METS (IRE) ($2.60) is geared down across the wire after putting the field away in the $125,000 Rosie's Stakes at @ColonialDowns. Owned by Bregman Family Racing LLC and WWBD LLC (@ABREG_1), trained by George Weaver, and ridden by @jockeypacolopez. Congrats to all! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/iJzjugFVqH
— TVG (@TVG) September 9, 2023
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