5th-Saratoga, $115,000, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 8-8, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/8mT, 2:20.25, gd, neck.
ASPEN GROVE (IRE) (f, 4, Justify–Data Dependent {GSP, $136,670}, by More Than Ready), a Group 3 winner for James Stack in Ireland at two, kicked off her U.S. tenure with a narrow score in the 10-furlong GI Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks just over a year ago. Fifth in the GI Saratoga Derby, she was sixth in her debut for Jack Sisterson in Woodbine's E.P. Taylor Stakes last October. Given a freshener, she returned to be an improved second dropping back to nine panels in the GII Hillsborough Stakes at Tampa Mar. 9 before coming home third in a soggy renewal of the GIII Modesty Stakes May 3. Let go at long odds for her latest, she was seventh, beaten five lengths by Didia, in the GI New York Stakes at Saratoga June 1. Installed the 4-5 choice to regain the winning thread, she stalked the pedestrian early pace, was within striking distance at the quarter pole and gained control, opened up a slight cushion but had to withstand the oncoming Avenue Niel (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) to win by a neck. The winner's graded-winning dam Data Dependent, a half-sister to Irish highweight 2-year-old filly Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy), produced a colt by Justify in 2022 followed by a Charlatan filly last season. She was bred back to Justify. Lifetime Record: 13-3-1-2, $482,403. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV .
O-Glen Hill Farm & Mrs. John Magnier; B-Glen Hill Farm (IRE); T-Jack Sisterson.
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