Bar of Gold Continues String of Upsets, Posts 66-1 Shocker in F/M Sprint

Bar of Gold | Horsephotos

Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) entered the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint as a complete outsider without a previous career victory on a fast dirt track. The Chester and Mary Broman homebred, a last out sixth as the 9-5 favorite in the Keeneland slop in the 1 1/8-miles GI Juddmonte Spinster S. Oct. 8, had other ideas, apparently, and took advantage of a perfectly timed ride to get up in the last stride and score a colossal 66-1 upset.

“We knew it was in there somewhere,” winning trainer John Kimmel said. “She pulled it out at the right moment. She's brushed on greatness a few times, and she's gotten better as the years have gone on.”

Kimmel continued, “She is getting to the end of her career and here we are. I've always liked horses cutting back in distance, especially in a sprint, and a seven-eighths sprint. I've won the Test a couple of times with that tactic. She showed up today, and Irad [Ortiz Jr.] gave her a great, great trip.”

Settling near the rear up the backstretch behind a blistering :21.84 opening quarter established by heavily favored 'TDN Rising Star' Unique Bella (Tapit), Bar of Gold started to advance after a half-mile in :44.35, angled six deep turning for home and kept on coming in the final furlong to nail 'TDN Rising Star' Ami's Mesa (Sky Mesa) in the final jump. It was another length back to 'TDN Rising Star' Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) in third. Unique Bella tired to finish seventh.

All six of Bar of Gold's previous career victories came over sloppy tracks (5) or grass (1). The 2015 GI Test S. runner-up was one for eight this term, capturing Saratoga's grassy Yaddo S. Aug. 25 and finishing second to Ami's Mesa in the GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S. over the synthetic Sept. 18. The 2017 GII Ruffian S. runner-up was beaten 11 1/2 lengths in her aforementioned attempt in Lexington most recently.

“I got a perfect trip,” Ortiz Jr. said. “She broke good, put me in good position and I just saved her. She made a good run on the inside and when I took her to the outside, she responded pretty good.”

The Masters has produced a long list of this race's winners since its inception in 2007, including Informed Decision (2009), Dubai Majesty (2010), Musical Romance (2011) and Groupie Doll (2012-13).

Winning owner/breeder Chester Broman is president and CEO of Clifford Broman & Son, Inc., a contract trucking firm. The Bromans own a 300-acre farm in Chestertown, N.Y., where they house their 54 mares. They have also campaigned standouts like 2004 GI Florida Derby winner Friends Lake (A.P. Indy) and 2014 GI Ballerina S. heroine Artemis Agrotera (Roman Ruler).

Pedigree Notes:

Bar of Gold is the first foal out of Broman homebred Khancord Kid, heroine of the grassy 2010 GIII Herecomesthebride S. She had a Giant's Causeway colt in 2016, an American Pharoah colt this year and was bred back to Medaglia d'Oro. Bar of Gold's unraced second dam Confidently, a full-sister to Yankee Gentleman, brought $1 million from the Bromans while in foal to Mr. Prospector at the 2000 KEEJAN sale. Medaglia d'Oro is also the sire of fellow Breeders' Cup winners Songbird and New Money Honey. Bar of Gold joins New York-breds Dayatthespa (FMT, 2014) and London Bridge (MAR, 2013) to capture Breeders' Cup races.

Saturday, Del Mar
BREEDERS' CUP FILLY AND MARE SPRINT-GI, $920,000, DMR, 11-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:22.63, ft.
1–BAR OF GOLD, 124, m, 5, by Medaglia d'Oro&log=">Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Khancord Kid, by Lemon Drop Kid
2nd Dam: Confidently, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Key Phrase, by Flying Paster
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Chester & Mary R. Broman (NY); T-John C. Kimmel; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $550,000. Lifetime Record: 25-7-6-4, $1,551,000.[bullet ad=”sequelbloodstock-grad”]2–Ami's Mesa, 124, f, 4, by Sky Mesa&log=">Sky Mesa
1st Dam: Victorious Ami (GSW, $167,343), by Victory Gallop
2nd Dam: Secret Ami, by Secret Claim
3rd Dam: Sybelle Ami, by Alwasmi
'TDN Rising Star' O-Ivan Dalos; B-Tall Oaks Farm (ON); T-Josie Carroll. $170,000. [bullet ad=”webb-carroll-another-wctc-grad”][bullet ad=”ontario-bred”]3–Carina Mia, 124, f, 4, by Malibu Moon
1st Dam: Miss Simpatia (Arg), by Southern Halo
2nd Dam: Miss Peggy (Arg), by Fitzcarraldo (Arg)
3rd Dam: Miss Bimba (Arg), by Our Talisman
'TDN Rising Star' ($410,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP). O-Three Chimneys Farm; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $90,000. [bullet ad=”warrendale-sold-congratulations-to-all-the-connections”][bullet ad=”bridlewood-farm-training-graduate”][bullet ad=”niall-brennan-nbs-training-and-sales-graduate”]Margins: NO, 1, 2HF. Odds: 66.70, 18.10, 20.20.
Also Ran: Skye Diamonds, Princess Karen, Paulassilverlining, Unique Bella, Finest City, Finley'sluckycharm, By the Moon, Highway Star, Proper Discretion, Curlin's Approval, Constellation.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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