Ce Ce becomes dual-G1 winner for Elusive Quality
Homebred Ce Ce (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) made big waves on Saturday when winning her second straight Grade 1 in the Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn Park for breeder-owner Bo Hirsch.
Shipping to Oaklawn from her California base for trainer Michael McCarthy, Ce Ce proved the widest post in the race would deter her when she broke like a rocket in the 1700 metre race. The 4-year-old was happy to race in the second pack as a speed dual took place up front between a group of confirmed front runners.
By the time the field entered the far turn, Victor Espinoza was ready to urge his filly on with Ce Ce circling the leaders to be just a length behind the leading Ollie’s Candy (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) as the field entered the straight. A Grade 1 winner herself, Ollie’s Candy wasn’t willing to bow out and Ce Ce wasn’t able to get her nose in front until the last stride before the line to win by a head.
It was another battle behind the pair for third with Point Of Honor (USA) (Curlin {USA}) just holding off Street Band (USA) (Istan {USA}) for minor honours.
“They were rolling up front,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “We were in a great spot. That was a tough one (drawing post 14). Unfortunately, the horses I thought we had to beat were all directly inside of us and I thought best laid plans would have been if Serengeti Empress would go ahead and be the controlling speed. Things didn’t work out that way, obviously. The complexion of the race totally changed after that. We were able to sit in a perfect spot, three to four lengths off of them. I’m OK with it now. Had the photo been the other way, I probably wouldn’t have been okay with it.”
Bred on the same cross as Australian Listed placed Melpomene, Ce Ce is by former Darley Australia shuttle stallion Elusive Quality (USA) and out of a mare by Widden Stud’s former shuttle sire Belong To Me (USA).
Out of Grade 1 winner Miss Houdini (USA), Ce Ce is a half-sister to dual-Grade 2 winner Papa Clem (USA) (Smart Strike {USA}) and two other stakes horses with her Listed placed half-sister the dam of Grade 2 winner Hot Springs (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) and another half-sister the dam of Grade 3 winner Ready Intaglio (USA) (Indygo Shiner {USA}).
Ce Ce is the third generation of her family to win at least one Grade 1 event following her dam and granddam Magical Maiden (USA) (Lord Avie {USA}) and hails from the same family as US Champion Good Magic (USA) (Curlin {USA}).
Whitmore wins third Count Fleet
It was business as usual for Whitmore (USA) (Pleasantly Perfect {USA}) on Saturday as the 7-year-old gelding won his third Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint at Oaklawn Park to take his earnings above US$3 million (AU$4,713,276).
Whitmore was a few lengths off the leaders during the opening stages of the 1200 metre race but was ready to run in the turn and quickly confronted the leaders. With 300 metres left to run, Whitmore took over the lead and started pulling away with jockey Joe Talamo putting away his whip and hand riding him in the final 100 metres.
A late closing Flagstaff (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) cut the margin down to 0.75l at the line with Manny Wah (USA) (Will Take Charge {USA}) in third.
“Hats off to (trainer) Ron Moquett,” Talamo said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to ride him three straight times now and each time he’s gotten stronger. That’s a testament to his conditioning. It was an interesting setup and I didn’t expect to get to the lead as early as I did. I had the perfect spot down the backstretch. What a racehorse. He doesn’t feel like a 7-year-old.”
A runner in the 2016 Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, the Moquett-trained Whitmore has seen his career path take a massive turn in the past three years to become one of the top sprinters in the United States with six graded stakes wins, including the Grade 1 Forego S.
