Awesome Maria bids farewell to racing after sustaining an injury to her tendon
After finishing third in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap, Awesome Maria sustained an injury to her tendon and as a result of this, her retirement was announced.
Owned by E. Paul Robsham Stables, the five-year-old will not race again. This decision was confirmed by Anna Ford, who represents the owners.
"We feel fortunate that she had raced successfully at 2, 3, 4, and 5, and had come back after an injury (a condylar fracture) last year. She won two graded stakes this year. We would have loved for her to finish out the year, but that's not the case.”
Ford also explained that the injury was minor, but made it clear she will not be out on the track again.
The daughter of Maria's Mon, foaled by mare Discreetly Awesome, was a success as soon as she started racing. Initially trained by Stanley Hough, she was later transferred to the stable of Todd Pletcher, and under his care, she truly excelled.
In 16 starts, she has an overall record of 9-3-3 and accumulated earnings worth $ 1,114,875, over the course of her career.
Whelped on 18th April, 2007, the Kentucky bred runner won the Grade 2 Matron Stakes as a juvenile, and finished as a runner-up in the Grade 1 Frizette Stakes.
The gray mare demonstrated what she was really made of when she competed in 2011, and aced some of the toughest races. She started the season with a victory in the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes, and then went on a winning streak which lasted for six races.
In this streak, she won the Grade 3 Rampart Stakes, the Grade 2 Shuvee Handicap and the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park.
When she returned in 2012, the mare successfully defended her title in the Sabin Stakes and the Rampart Stakes.
Regarding his charge, trainer Todd Pletcher told the press:
“She was top-class at 2, 3, 4, and 5. A little bit unlucky we weren’t able to finish this year or last year as strong as we started. She’s certainly a Breeders’ Cup quality mare.”
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