Blessed Touch

Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr. has never been to the Kentucky Derby. Not even as a spectator. However, the 2023 renewal may very well change that fact after Practical Move (Practical Joke), who he owns in partnership with his wife Leslie and Roger Beasley, stamped himself a major Classic contender with a victory in last weekend's GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita. "My wife and I were very emotional after the win," said Pierre Amestoy. "It was phenomenal. It was exhilarating. We're just elated." "I guess we're heading to the...

Born just a day apart in the same foaling barn, two daughters of Girvin once roamed the same Bluegrass fields in their early days at Airdrie Stud. On Saturday, the duo will meet again as 'TDN Rising Star' Faiza and stakes-placed Blessed Touch enter the starting gate for the GI Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Race Course. The Brereton C. Jones-bred fillies represent two of the 20 winners this year for fast-starting first-crop stallion Girvin, who has relocated from Ocala Stud to Airdrie for the 2023 breeding season. With four...

Dubbed a 'TDN Rising Star' for her ultra-impressive last-to-first effort on debut when sprinting at Del Mar July 31, Justique had to settle for third as the beaten favorite in her jump up to graded-stakes company in the GII Chandelier S. behind GISW And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate). The half-sister to GISW and top-10 freshman sire Mo Town (Uncle Mo), Justique again displayed her trademark running style Saturday as the 3-2 chalk, spotting pacesetter Parody (Distorted Humor) nearly 11 lengths as she took her time from the gate. Never in...

4th-Santa Anita, $62,500, Msw, 10-8, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.17, ft, 8 3/4 lengths. BLESSED TOUCH (f, 2, Girvin--Blushing Touch, by Street Boss) had to contend with a slow start and a lost path on debut Sept. 11 at Del Mar, ultimately finishing fifth at a similar distance as this baby dash. Breaking outwardly to end up the rail-side part of a sandwiched Carson Jen (Gun Runner) as the fillies left the blocks, Drayden Van Dyke sent his charge to the lead and never looked back, edging away on the turn...