1st-Del Mar, $61,500, Msw, 11-26, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.13, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
KOPION (f, 2, Omaha Beach–Galloping Ami {Outstanding Broodmare-Can}, by Victory Gallop) did not disappoint her backers who made her the 1-5 favorite for this debut. The $270,000 Keeneland September buy trailed towards the rear of the field as a pair showed the way up the backstretch. Given her cue around the far turn, the Richard Mandella trainee ranged up and let the throttle out to graduate by 3 3/4 lengths over She's a Tempest (Connect).
The winner is a half-sister to Aragorn Ami (Aragorn {Ire}), SW, $112,535, Ami's Flatter (Flatter), GSW & GISP, $536,931 and Amis Gizmo (Giant Gizmo), Ch. 3-year-old Colt-Can, GSW, $800,022. A full-sister to Victorious Ami, who herself is responsible for Canadian Champion female sprinter Ami's Mesa (Sky Mesa) and GSW Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday), unraced dam Galloping Ami produced a yearling colt named Authentic Gallop (Authentic). She also foaled a filly Apr. 16 by Essential Quality and was bred to Uncle Mo for next year. Kopion is the 21st winner for her first-crop sire (by War Front). Sales History: $270,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Tall Oaks Farm (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella.
What a debut! #6 KOPION ($2.60) kicks off her career–and today's Del Mar card–in style, winning her first career start under a hand ride.
The 2-year-old filly by @spendthriftfarm's Omaha Beach was piloted by Flavien Prat for trainer Richard Mandella and @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/fjiBxS8vyE
— TVG (@TVG) November 26, 2023
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