Last seen on May 19th 2018 at Belmont Park when she became Cairo Prince’s first ever winner, the now three-year-old filly Abyssinian returned from her long layoff to post a scintillating victory yesterday at Gulfstream Park. Sporting an abbreviated but impressive worktab, trainer Wesley Ward opted for a five furlong turf allowance for Abyssinian’s reappearance, and the previous dirt performer took to the grass with aplomb, going to the lead and drawing off to win as she pleased under John Velazquez. The final margin was 6 3/4 lengths and the performance earned a stout 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Following a debut runner-up performance, Abyssinian has now won two straight events by a combined 13 3/4 lengths, and has earnings of $96,400 for Hat Creek Racing.
Abyssinian was bred, raised, named and sold by Dede McGehee, whose Heaven Trees Farm is located near Keeneland, just outside Lexington, Kentucky. Abyssinian is the second foal (both winners) out of the Tapit mare, Shesakitty, herself a Graded Stakes-placed juvenile in the colors of Dolphus Morrison. Shesakitty has a two-year-old daughter by Competitive Edge and is currently back in foal to Cairo Prince.
It remains to be seen where Abyssinian will race next, but whether it is on dirt or turf it will take a good one to challenge this daughter of Cairo Prince. Represented by four Stakes Winners, and promising three-year-olds like Oncewewerebrothers, Qahira, Pakhet, Mont Perdu, and others, Cairo Prince is blazing a trail at the head of the Second Crop Sire list.
