Malathaat's Sister Julia Shining Returns To The Winner's Circle At The Big A

8th-Aqueduct, $95,000, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 12-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.78, ft, 3 1/4 lengths.
JULIA SHINING (f, 4, Curlin–Dreaming of Julia {Broodmare Of The Year, GISW, $874,500}, by A.P. Indy) was named a 'TDN Rising Star'–the fifth in her extended female family–after she broke her maiden at first asking over Keeneland's main track as a late juvenile. The well-bred filly won the GII Demoiselle Stakes that December, and the following spring she was third in both the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa in mid-February and in the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland that April. Ninth in the GI Alabama Stakes at the Spa, Julia Shining wrapped her season over the fall with a fourth-place finish in the GII Mother Goose Stakes in Ozone Park and was the runner-up in the GIII Comely Stakes at the Big A. Off the bench against optional claimers to kick off her 4-year-old campaign at Keeneland in April, the filly was last seen running a well-beaten fourth in the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Pimilco May 17. The 7-5 choice here took an awkward step out of the gate, which spotted the field several lengths up the backstretch. Mounting a rally approaching the far turn, the bay quickly erased the margin entering the lane and took aim at the leaders with a furlong left. The homebred flexed her class as she won by 3 1/4 lengths over Golden Degree (Goldencents). The winner is full-sister to Malathaat, Ch. 3-year-old Filly, Ch. Older Dirt Female, MGISW, $3,790,825. Dreaming of Julia is also responsible for unraced 2-year-old filly Eco Warrior (Curlin) and a yearling filly by Into Mischief. Out of MGISW Dream Rush (Wild Rush), the 2022 Broodmare of the Year was sent back to Curlin for next season. Lifetime Record: GSW/GISP, 10-3-1-3, $391,275. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

JULIA SHINING, the 4YO daughter of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Curlin, wins the eighth race under @DavisJockey for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/cHArp6ky9u

— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) December 1, 2024