One Magic Philly came into Saturday's GIII Chillingworth Stakes having displayed marked improvement with each of her last three races and her return to Santa Anita gave her yet another notch in her belt after she crossed the wire on top in the 6 1/2-furlong test, earning her first taste of black-type in the process.
Quickly up to press heavy favorite Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca), winner of the GI Beholder Mile last March, the 7-2 chance continued to put the screws to the favorite through :21.76 and :44.10 splits. Inching ahead of her grey rival leaving the quarter pole, the John Gallegos hombred spurted clear in the stretch and was a geared down 2 3/4 lengths ahead of 25-1 longshot Irish Wahine. Kirstenbosch rounded out the trifecta.
“We knew the horse to beat was on our inside [Sweet Azteca], and we had to take it to her if we broke well,” explained winning trainer Phil d'Amato. “I knew if we could stick with Sweet Azteca for the first part of the race, we would have a chance. And it just worked out.”
Runner-up to subsequent GIII Torrey Pines Stakes winner Hope Road (Quality Road) at Santa Anita in June, One Magic Philly broke her maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 3 before winning by seven lengths in a first-level allowance going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Sept. 2.
“She's really improving race by race,” added winning rider Antonio Fresu. “She showed a lot of talent in the last race at Del Mar when she won so easily. Today was a step forward. It was a really tough race against Sweet Azteca, but we prepared a lot for it. Even though today was a challenge, she ended up on top again.”
Pedigree Notes:
One Magic Philly's Chillingworth win gives juvenile champion Good Magic his 20th black-type winner and his 12th victory at the graded stakes level. The winner's dam, My Philly Girl, also produced stakes winning My Philly Girl (Hard Spun). Additionally, the 15-year-old mare is responsible for a juvenile colt by Omaha Beach and foaled a Street Sense colt this season. The half-sister to SW and MGSP Loch Lein (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was bred back to Jack Christopher. This represents the extended family of GISWs Bandini and Hail Atlantis in addition to the stakes-winning sire Stormy Atlantic.
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