By Christina Bossinakis
Despite never having won against open stakes company, Roses for Debra nonetheless installed the 8-5 choice to best four others in Saturday's GIII Caress S. at Saratoga. Undefeated in a pair of starts since joining Christophe Clement's string earlier this season, the Pennsylvania-bred filly made short work of her rivals, coming from off the pace to win by an authoritative victory over Wakanaka (Ire).
MGSW Our Flash Drive (Ghostzapper) got off to an awkward start, spotting the field a couple of lengths as 2-1 chance Bubble Rock took control while Roses for Debra settled two lengths behind through a snappy quarter in :20.95. With Bubble Rock still in front turning for home, Wakanaka loomed up on the outside of the favorite and it appeared to be anybody's race. Unrelenting down the center of the course, Roses for Debra collared Bubble Rock midstretch and powered home a three-length winner over Wakanaka who outlasted the early front runner.
“She broke well. I thought there was going to be a little more speed in the race, but she broke so well so I just sat on her,” ridere Irad Ortiz Jr., winning his fourth race on the day's card. “When the other horse [No. 2, Bubble Rock] went, I just followed the leader. After that, I just let her do her thing from the quarter pole.”
Under the care of Presque Isle trainer Michelle Brafford, the grey reeled off a quartet of synthetic wins at that venue, including the Malvern Rose S. against state-bred company one year ago. Fourth while stepping into better company in a six furlong main track test at Keeneland in October, she came home fourth before resurfacing in 2023 with Clement.
“She came [to me] in the spring,” explained Clement. “One of our owners, Mr. [Dean] Reeves, tried to buy her last year, so we knew about the filly. The deal fell through, but we liked her. I knew the owner because we trained for the owner years ago and he's also the breeder of Big Invasion [Clement-trained graded-stakes winner]–the good sprinter–so, I got the phone call to train her which is great. I'm absolutely delighted to have her in the barn.”
Trying the turf for the first time at Pimlico this season, the 4-year-old came from off the pace to score sprinting five panels against optional claiming company May 19 before posting yet another win while progressing into 3X company and adding an extra furlong at Belmont July 3.
“She's very good. She was impressive at Pimlico. She was very impressive at Belmont,” said Clement. “She came out of the race at Belmont in great shape. When you run at Belmont you don't have to ship, you take them straight from the stalls to the paddock and back. I know it was ambitious, but why not have a look. It worked out. It's nice when you're aggressive and it works out.”
Pedigree Notes:
Rose for Debra represents the ninth group/graded stakes winner for MGISW Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song). Out of the unraced Bernardini mare Essential Rose, the filly is a half-sister to SW Rose's Vision (Artie Schiller). A daughter of the GSW Essential Edge (Storm Cat), the 12-year-old mare is from the prolific family of Flame Of Tara (Ire), responsible for a bevy of accomplished runners, including Irish Highweight route horse Salsabil (Ire) and G1SW Marju (Ire).
Saturday, Saratoga
CARESS S.-GIII, $194,000, Saratoga, 7-22, 4yo/up, f/m,
5 1/2fT, 1:02.39, gd.
1–ROSES FOR DEBRA, 120, f, 4, by Liam's Map
1st Dam: Essential Rose, by Bernardini
2nd Dam: Essential Edge, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Rose of Tara (Ire), by Generous (Ire)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($120,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $25,000
Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-John O'Meara; B-Blackstone Farm LLC (PA);
T-Christophe Clement; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $110,000. Lifetime
Record: 8-6-1-0, $323,930. *1/2 to Rose's Vision (Artie
Schiller), SW-USA, MSP-Can, $264,358. Werk Nick Rating:
A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross
pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Wakanaka (Ire), 124, m, 5, Power (GB)–Storyline (Ire), by
Kodiac (GB). (£3,500 Ylg '19 GOFFPR; $975,000 RNA 4yo '22
KEENOV). O-Team Valor International and Gary Barber; B-Mrs
Jean Brennan (IRE); T-William I. Mott. $40,000.
3–Bubble Rock, 124, f, 4, More Than Ready–Reef Point, by
Giant's Causeway. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
$24,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, NK, HD. Odds: 1.75, 4.80, 2.30.
Also Ran: Poppy Flower, Our Flash Drive. Scratched: Bank On Anna.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
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