Despite having started just once before, Fondly (Upstart–Lifetime Memory, by Istan) once again put it all together to claim the Virginia Oaks, and her 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
A stylish first-out winner at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 14 when she graduated by four lengths over a maiden field going seven panels, her connections decided to take a chance in the newest point races toward American’s premier contests for 3-year-olds, and she did not disappoint.
Up in the leading flight early, she contested the pace briefly but Anonima (Sharp Azteca) was keen to go on, and so was allowed to do through :23.49, :46.58, and 1:10.59 splits. Set down to catch that leader as that one entered the stretch with a clear advantage, and closed the gap between them relentlessly, taking command late in the stretch. Fighting back with the heart of a far more seasoned runner, Fondly held off a charge from fast-closing Early On (Union Rags) to win by a half-length as Anonima faded to third.
“It was only her second start, and we knew she could get the distance, but I didn’t want to use her energy early if I didn’t have to,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz Jr. “Last time she missed the break a little bit, but today she broke good, put me in a good position, and when the horse inside started to show speed, I let her go and stuck second. Down the stretch she kept coming all the way to the wire. My filly stepped up today.”
With her 50 points here, Fondly jumps to the top echelon of the Kentucky Oaks point list, currently tied in fourth with Queen Azteca. Early On moves into a five-way tie with 25, and is listed in 11th. Anonima is tied with 15 and listed in 27th.
Pedigree Note:
Sophomore success runs in Fondly’s family as she is a half-sister to GIII Peter Pan Stakes victor Antiquarian (Preservationist), who would finish fifth when he contested the final jewel of the Triple Crown last season. Lifetime Memory’s most recent of racing age is the juvenile Final War (Divisidero) and she has a yearling colt by Happy Saver to her credit. She is due to Mage for 2025.
Their dam is out of GSW Silver Reunion (Harlan’s Holiday), making her a half-sister to GSW Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front) as well as SW Proud Reunion (Proud Citizen), and GSP More Fun Again (Arch). One of her sisters, European campaigned Vicennalia (More Than Ready) produced Australian Listed winner Left The Building (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). This is the immediate female family of globetrotting multiple Group/Grade I-placed Lucayan Prince and MGSW Comic Strip.
Saturday, Colonial Downs
VIRGINIA OAKS, $250,000, Colonial Downs, 3-15, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:42.51, ft.
1–FONDLY, 122, f, 3, by Upstart
1st Dam: Lifetime Memory, by Istan
2nd Dam: Silver Reunion, by Harlan’s Holiday
3rd Dam: Silver Comic, by Silver Hawk
($50,000 Ylg ’23 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-H.
Graham Motion; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $150,000. Lifetime Record:
2-2-0-0, $169,200. *1/2 to Antiquarian (Preservationist),
GSW, $233,000.
2–Early On, 122, f, 3, Union Rags–Sally O’Brien, by Distorted
Humor. ($20,000 Ylg ’23 SARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-C2
Racing Stable, Ken T. Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy
Pinch, and Bradley D Kent; B-John Lauriello (NY); T-Saffie A.
Joseph, Jr. $50,000.
3–Anonima, 122, f, 3, Sharp Azteca–Royal Starlight, by Point
Given. ($15,000 Wlg ’22 FTKNOV; $17,000 Ylg ’23 KEESEP).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek) and
Steve Crabtree; B-Barbara Montanye (KY); T-Kenneth G.
McPeek. $27,500.
Margins: HF, HF, 2. Odds: 1.20, 3.90, 5.40.
Also Ran: Icona Mama, You’ll Be Back, Low Key. Scratched: Girl Math, Gowells Delight.
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