Applauding successful at one, now to go two turns in Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds
It has been a smooth ride for the newly turned 3-year-old filly, Applauding, who has won 2 in as many starts, breaking her maiden and then an allowance/optional claimer at Fair Grounds, but the real test begins as she enters her sophomore season.
Despite being undefeated and appearing to be poised on the cusp of added stature, the Albert M. Stall Jr. trained filly is to be thrown into unknown waters, a test which will surely probe into her distance covering abilities, and it is a known fact that the farther and faster the horse goes, the more the chances that he/she will get into contention quickly for important races.
There are many important races at this level and at this time Applauding is being asked to stretch out in distance in the $125,000 Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course at about 1 mile and 70 yards on dirt on 21 January, 2012, a race that is restricted for 3-year-old fillies only.
The Florida bred daughter of Congrats, out of mare Andria’s Forest by Forestry, Applauding broke her maiden at first asking at Keeneland on 14 October, 2011, going over a distance of six furlongs, under jockey Garrett Gomez, over the venue’s synthetic surface.
She managed an easy victory, downing Sacristy in second, and Indian Miss in third, while covering the six furlong distance in 1 minute and 7.76 seconds.
Two months later, she was trusted to go forth in an allowance claimer, and she did not disappoint. Ridden by S Sellers at Fair Grounds race course, Applauding, over the same distance of six furlongs, dashed past her opponents to win in 1 minute and 10.34 seconds.
Those one turn days for Applauding might not have gone forever, but for now the connections do believe she can stretch, and still be convincing.
Ahead of the Silverbulletday Stakes, Applauding drew post number 5, and S Sellers will get a second call on the filly.
With the early speed combined with pedigree slanted towards sprints and middle distances, it will be fascinating to see Applauding go two turns. Even her connections have their fingers crossed for this one.
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