2nd-Delaware, $39,420, Msw, 8-5, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.27, ft, 8 lengths.
DEFEND (c, 2, American Freedom–Fabiana's Flash, by City Zip) became the sixth winner for his first-crop sire (by Pulpit) with a highly impressive debut romp. Sent off right at his morning line of 4-1, the April foal set the pace from favored Mr. Cunningham (Creative Cause), getting the opening quarter mile in a controlled :22.61. Racing well in hand and going extremely well on the turn, Defend came a bit wide into the lane, but was shaken up under a motionless Charlie Marquez ride, was well clear into the final furlong and was never out of a high gallop, scoring by eight lengths. A $16,000 purchase out of last year's OBS October sale, Defend breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 2/5 (see below), but was led out unsold on a bid of $72,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale in May. Produced by a daughter of GSW Flashy N Smart (Smarten), Defend has a yearling half-sister named A Day in Vegas (Uncaptured). Fabiana's Flash was most recently covered by Valiant Minister. Sales history: $16,000 Ylg '20 OBSOCT; $72,000 RNA 2yo '21 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $22,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Nick Sanna Stables LLC; B-Cheryl & James McGuire, Richard Heysek & Catherine Perez (FL); T-Cathal A Lynch.
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