Gainesway homebred Spendarella maintained her perfect record with a 1 3/4-length victory in the GII Appalachian S. Presented by Japan Racing Association at Keeneland Saturday.
Sent straight to the head of affairs, the bay was soon headed by Glenall (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) to her inside and was content to perch in second turning into the backstretch. Well in hand under Tyler Gaffalione, the favorite still maintained her position as noses pointed for home. She took over just before the quarter pole and withstood the closing rally of Dolce Zel to win handily by 1 3/4 lengths. The latter was three-quarters of a length ahead of Skims, who closed strongly to take third.
Gaffalione, who was riding his third winner of the day and second consecutive stakes winner after Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GIII Commonwealth S., said, “She was going into the first turn very comfortably. She was in a great rhythm, and that other horse [Glenall]coming up inside didn't bother her at all. She relaxed beautifully and had some turn of foot.”
Added trainer Graham Motion, “She's made me look good. She just does everything so easily. She's such a professional, she's a fighter–she obviously loves it. She makes me look smart.
“I've heard mention of Ascot possibly, so we'll see. I need to talk to Wesley [Ward, who has enjoyed notable success at the Royal meeting].”
Pedigree Notes:
Spendarella was a winner at first asking over the Gulfstream turf in February and an all-the-way winner of the GIII Herecomesthebride S. there Mar. 5. The Graham Motion trainee is one of eight black-type winners and five graded winners for her Gainesway sire.
A full-sister to the MSW & MGSP Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}), $284,090; as well as a half to the GI American Oaks heroine Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule); the winner is followed by the 2-year-old filly Spanish Destiny (Destin). Her dam, Spanish Bunny, foaled a colt by Uncle Mo born Feb. 17. The winning fourth dam Sunerta (Robert) was a half-sister to U.S. champion and Grade I winner Bates Motel (Sir Ivor), as well as English group winner Super Asset (Sir Ivor) and GI San Antonio H. hero Hatim (Exclusive Native).
Saturday, Keeneland
APPALACHIAN S. PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION-GII, $308,950, Keeneland, 4-9, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:37.41, gd.
1–SPENDARELLA, 118, f, 3, by Karakontie (Jpn)
1st Dam: Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat
2nd Dam: Spanish Beam, by El Gran Senor
3rd Dam: Solar Beam, by Majestic Light
($220,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck);
B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (NY); T-H. Graham Motion;
J-Tyler Gaffalione. $179,025. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0,
$283,675. *Full to Spanish Loveaffair, MSW & MGSP,
$284,090; 1/2 to Spanish Queen (Tribal Rule), GISW, $423,600.
Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dolce Zel (Fr), 118, f, 3, Zelzal (Fr)–Dolce Attesa (GB), by Dr
Fong. O-Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC and Robert V.
LaPenta; B-Scuderia Micolo Di Nicola Galli & C. SNC (FR);
T-Chad C. Brown. $57,750.
3–Skims (GB), 118, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Royal Decree, by Street
Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($235,000 RNA Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Andrew Rosen; T-Claude
McGaughey III. $28,875.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.70, 3.20, 7.00.
Also Ran: Kneesnhips, An Agent Mistake, Glenall (Ire), Ouraika (Fr), Trobairitz.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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