New Graded Winner for Curlin on Pegasus Undercard

Curlin's Approval | Adam Coglianese

Curlin's Approval showed a new dimension and broke through with her first graded stakes victory on the GI Pegasus World Cup undercard at Gulfstream. The Martin Wolfson trainee previously captured Gulfstream's trip-and-track Added Elegance S. in pace-pressing fashion Aug. 28, and was forced to win from off the pace after losing position early in Saturday's event.

“She'd never been that far back before, but she proved she could handle it,” said owner/breeder Happy Alter. “This is a great day at Gulfstream and I'm glad to be a part of it.”

Raised up to the graded stakes level following her win in the Added Elegance, the dark bay endured some tough beats in her recent starts. Curlin's Approval dueled highly regarded GSW Lucy N Ethel (During) into submission and held on to complete the superfecta in Keeneland's GII Raven Run S. Oct. 22, and recently missed by less than a length to Eskenformoney (Eskendereya) after leading in the stretch in the local, one-mile GIII Rampart S.

Bet down to heavy favoritism cutting back to seven panels here, Curlin's Approval was away a step slowly and found herself behind a three-horse duel for command through a quarter-mile in :23 flat. Rallying with a confident four-wide sweep on the far turn, she seized command from Bodacious Babe (Mineshaft) in upper stretch and kicked away to score by open lengths.

“We got behind the three [horses] and got her to a good spot,” said winning rider Luis Saez. “I slipped out and once we got to the outside, she started running. I thought we had it at that point.”

Encouraged by Curlin's Approval's ability to win from off the pace, Alter has a variety of options for his homebred going forward.

“I think this filly will go on and be in the winner's circle in Grade I competition,” Alter asserted. “I might try to stretch her out next time, just to give her that opportunity. She's so nice, never tries to bite anyone, a real lady. She can make up what a lot of other horses couldn't.”

Pedigree Notes:

The winner has an unraced 3-year-old full sister named Curlin's Mistress and a yearling half-brother by Morning Line. Withmom'sapproval, an Alter homebred half-sister to MSW Respect for Mom (Buckaroo), was most recently bred back to Fusaichi Pegasus.

 

Saturday, Gulfstream Park

HURRICANE BERTIE S.-GIII, $100,000, GP, 1-28, 4yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:23.23, ft.

1–@CURLIN'S APPROVAL, 121, f, 4, by Curlin">Curlin

1st Dam: Withmom'sapproval, by With Approval

2nd Dam: Wonderful Mom, by Rexson

3rd Dam: Lang Hill Lady, by Northern Fling

O-Alter's Racing Stable, Inc.; B-Happy Alter (KY); T-Martin D.

Wolfson; J-Luis Saez. $60,760. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-0,

$184,735. Werk Nick Rating: A+.[bullet ad=”hidden-brook-graduate”][bullet ad=”kbif-g2g3″]

Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.

2–Genre, 123, m, 5, Bernardini–French Park, by Ecton Park.

($200,000 Ylg '13 KEESEP). O-Cheyenne Stables LLC; B-William

E. Graves & Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY); T-Todd A.

Pletcher. $19,600.[bullet ad=”gainesway-consigned-by”][bullet ad=”bradshaw-randy-shell”]

3–Distinta, 117, m, 5, Summer Bird–Miss Kitty, by Storm Cat.

($7,000 Wlg '12 KEENOV; $30,000 Ylg '13 OBSAUG; $80,000

2yo '14 OBSMAR). O-Veb Racing Stable Corp; B-Hargus &

Sandra Sexton & Silver Fern Farm, LLC (KY); T-Victor Barboza,

Jr. $9,800.

Margins: 2HF, HD, 1HF. Odds: 0.80, 2.20, 23.10.

Also Ran: Bodacious Babe, You Bought Her, Improv, Linda Linda (Chi). Scratched: Sugar Cone. 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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