5th-Laurel, $46,000, Msw, 10-29, 2yo, f, 1m (off turf), 1:41.41, sy, 5 1/2 lengths.
GHERARDINI (f, 2, Bernardini–Brush Hour, by Broad Brush) was sent off the 3-2 choice in this maiden rained off the grass and onto a Zeta-affected main track at Laurel and sustained a rally for the better part of 3 1/2 furlongs to graduate by an impressive 5 1/2 lengths. Away clearly last beneath Sheldon Russell, the $150,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase was ridden quietly from about third last before being asked to improve a long way from home. The bay made eye-catching progress as she looped her rivals widest on the track, but nevertheless made the lead under a hold with a quarter-mile to gallop and kicked on nicely to prevail by daylight. Our Bella Nicole (Honor Code) rallied down the center for second. Gherardini is a half-sister to Brushed by a Star (Eddington), MGSW & GISP, $644,031; and to Thethiefatmidnight (Cat Thief), Ch. 3yo Filly, Ch. Older Mare & MSW-PR, $404,509. Gherardini is bred on the same cross over Broad Brush responsible for Dueling Grounds Oaks winner and GI QE II Challenge Cup runner-up Micheline and has a weanling half-brother by More Than Ready. Sales history: $150,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $22,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Madaket Stables LLC, Wonder Stables & Robert V LaPenta; B-Tony Holmes & Godolphin (KY); T-Brittany Russell.
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