By Alan Carasso
LEXINGTON, KY – Trainer Brad Cox said that British Idiom (Flashback) didn't necessarily have to cross the wire first in Friday's GI Darley Alcibiades S. at Keeneland in order to merit consideration for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita four weeks down the road. But the chestnut, the well-backed 18-5 third choice, made those discussions a fair bit easier, as she got first run on GI Spinaway S. victress Perfect Alibi (Sky Mesa) into the short stretch and powered home to score by 6 1/2 commanding lengths. Perfect Alibi settled for second, three lengths clear of the somewhat surprising 21-10 favorite Alandra (Blame).
British Idiom was one of two fillies in the Alcibiades to proceed directly from graduation day to Grade I company. The $40,000 Fasig-Tipton October graduate took advantage of one of the Saratoga maiden allowance races during the 2019 meet that were restricted to horses that were sold or bought back from any auction for $45,000 or less. Sent off the lukewarm 7-2 choice for one such event Aug. 15, the chestnut attended a decent pace, but did her best work through the line for a 3 1/2-length defeat of next-out maiden romper Miss Marissa (He's Had Enough), suggesting that more ground would work in her favor.
Away fairly from gate six, British Idiom was a forward factor from about fourth as longshot Spitefulness (Palace Malice) set the pace in advance of Sequin (Bayern), a maiden in two starts on the turf, but trying the main track for the first time Friday. British Idiom looked to exchange a bump of two into the first turn with the rail-drawn Gone Glimmering (Tapiture) and that appeared to fire her up, as she raced keenly, with Javier Castellano doing his best to conserve some energy.
In the clear down the back, British Idiom settled noticeably better and she was called upon for some acceleration to come after the top two with a little less than three furlongs to travel. Perfect Alibi stalked British Idiom through the middle stages and made her move almost simultaneously around the turn, but British Idiom had the far more telling kick and gapped her rivals through the final sixteenth of a mile. Alandra was bothered at the break and took herself back to second last in the opening three furlongs. That left her far too much to do late, but she rallied nicely to grab third money while no menace to the winner.
Referring to his mount's ability to drop the bridle during the Alcibiades, Castellano said, “I think good horses can do that. She pulled a little bit, but I liked the way she did it on the backside. She relaxed, kept tracking the horses, and I liked the way she finished. She's a good filly.”
Mark Casse was not unduly disappointed with Perfect Alibi's first try at a route of ground and said she had earned a shot in the Juvenile Fillies.
Pedigree Notes:
British Idiom is the first stakes winner of any variety for Flashback, who stood initially at Hill 'n' Dale before being relocated to Diamond B Farm in Pennsylvania. A $21,000 in utero purchase out of the 2017 Keeneland January sale, she is out of Rose and Shine, winner of the 2013 Princess Elizabeth S. over the Woodbine all-weather. British Idiom is a half-sister to a Cairo Prince colt that made $70,000 at Keeneland September last month and a filly foal by Jimmy Creed. Rose and Shine was most recently bred to Speightster.
Friday, Keeneland
DARLEY ALCIBIADES S.-GI, $400,000, Keeneland, 10-4, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.80, ft.
1–BRITISH IDIOM, 118, f, 2, by Flashback
1st Dam: Rose and Shine (MSW,$399,829), by Mr. Sekiguchi
2nd Dam: Yellowenglishrose, by Colonial Affair
3rd Dam: Princess Baja, by Conquistador Cielo
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($40,000 Ylg '18 FTKOCT). O-Michael Dubb, The Elkstone Group LLC (Stuart Grant), Madaket Stables LLC and Bethlehem Stables LLC; B-Hargus & Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Javier Castellano. $240,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $281,250. *1/2 to Parade of Rose (New Year's Day), SW. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Perfect Alibi, 118, f, 2, by Sky Mesa&log=">Sky Mesa
1st Dam: No Use Denying, by Maria's Mon
2nd Dam: Rumors Are Flying, by Kris S.
3rd Dam: Missed the Wedding, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
($220,000 Ylg '18 FTSAUG). O-Tracy Farmer; B-Pin Oak Stud, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $80,000.
3–Alandra, 118, f, 2, by Blame&log=">Blame
1st Dam: Altesse, by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Aldiza, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Aishah, by Alydar
O-Alexander, Helen C. and Groves, Helen K.; B-Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $40,000.
Margins: 6HF, 3, 3. Odds: 3.60, 2.30, 2.10.
Also Ran: Gone Glimmering, Sequin, Three D Flag, Spitefulness, How Ironic, Micheline, Western Taffy, Heir of Light.
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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