Her hooves pounded and her
breaths came in sync with her stride as her rider asked her for everything she
had. Standing along the rail, I watched as the bay filly thundered down the
stretch, flying across the wire in a blink of an eye. Little did I know, the
two-year-old that had just galloped past me to record a furlong work in 10 2/5 seconds would become a stakes winner at one of the premier
summer meets in the nation.
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| Nechez Dawn Photo by Terri Cage |
The filly that had just galloped past me was one of my top picks for the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale. Since Past the Grandstand did not exist at the time, Nechez Dawn was not featured on my blog at the time of the sale, at which she brought $51,000 as the fifth highest-priced horse in the sale, but considering she has become one of my most successful sale selections yet, it is time to feature this talented filly!
Nechez Dawn debuted in March of this year at Gulfstream Park, going five furlongs over the turf. Settling just off the leader, Nechez Dawn aided in setting brisk fractions before drawing clear in the stretch. Despite drifting out severely in the stretch, the bay filly galloped to a three-length victory, posting a final time of 56.82.
The filly suffered her first defeat when going six furlongs over the synthetic track at Keeneland, finishing fifth in allowance. However, she rebounded when she returned to the turf next out in an allowance at Arlington Park. Going straight to the lead, Nechez Dawn battled Zingwella on the front-end, but maintained her advantage throughout the approximate five-furlong race. Despite drifting out in the stretch, Nechez Dawn continued to lead, gamely outdueling her rivals to garner a 1 ¼-length victory.
Nechez Dawn was then entered in the Del Mar Paddock Sale, at which she sold for $125,000 as the second highest-priced horse to successfully sell. Landing in Jeff Bonde’s stable for Ten Broeck Farm, Inc., Nechez Dawn made her southern California debut in Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar on Friday, August 10.
With a sharp break from the gate, Nechez Dawn united with seven other fillies and mares to embark on the five-furlong journey over Del Mar’s turf course. She was immediately roused to the lead by Edwin Maldonado, quickly forming a two-length lead on the others. The others grew closer to her, but Nechez Dawn maintained her lead, setting brisk fractions while galloping along at odds of 7-1.
Nechez Dawn continued to lead as she swung off the far turn, going wide but still holding her advantage on the others. Despite drifting outwards as the others charged, Nechez Dawn did not let her rivals surpass her and crossed the wire a triumphant half-length ahead of her opponents.
Sired by Indian Charlie, a tremendous sire of principally speedy horses, Nechez Dawn shares the same sire as the champions Fleet Indian, Indian Blessing, and Uncle Mo, as well as such grade one winners as Liaison and Pampered Princess.
Nechez Dawn’s dam is a daughter of Valid Appeal, a stallion well known for producing the productive sires Successful Appeal and Valid Expectations. He is also the broodmare sire of the champion Soy Conquistador, as well as the group one winners Big City Man, Exciting Story, and Splendid Blended.
Nechez Dawn’s pedigree is not one to get you tremendously excited, but despite her tendency to drift in late stretch, her racing ability should get you excited. This is certainly a very talented turf sprinter and following her career has been very rewarding – just as it always is to follow a horse from a sale throughout its racing career.
SUCCESS SINCE THIS ARTICLE:
Finished 2nd:
Skillful Joy Stakes
Very One Stakes
Finished 2nd:
Skillful Joy Stakes
Very One Stakes
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