R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing, BlackRidge Stables and James F. Brown's Pass the Champagne provided her connections with a gratifying victory in Saturday's Ruffian (G2), a one-turn mile for older fillies and mares, at Belmont Park.
Pass the Champagne was an emphatic 5 1/2-length winner after tracking the pace set by Gerrymander and pouncing to the lead at the stretch call. She drew away strongly down the lane under Feargal Lynch to complete the course in 1:36.13.
“She looks real good and we're just delighted with her,” said trainer George Weaver. “She's a filly in the mornings that has said to us that she's a really good racemare, and it's been a long road for her.”
Weaver was rewarded for his patience with the 5-year-old daughter of Flatter, who has had two lengthy layoffs since making her first start in January 2021 at Gulfstream Park with trainer Rusty Arnold. She won at second asking that February in her first start for Weaver before running a close second to subsequent two-time champion Malathaat in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland and finishing off-the-board in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. She did not return until last February at Gulfstream when she won an optional claiming event, and was on the bench again for almost a year before finishing second in the Wayward Lass this January at Tampa Bay Downs.
“She ran a great second in the Ashland and then nothing went right in the Oaks where she got squeezed at the start and pinched back,” said Weaver. “She came up with an issue that needed time off. We got her back and she won early in her 4-year-old year and we had to stop on her again. It's been a long road for her and as often is the case in this game, you just have to be patient. She always told us she was worth waiting on. We could have retired her, but we felt like she had some unfinished business on the racetrack.”
Pass the Champagne entered the Ruffian off a game second-place finish in the Heavenly Cause at Laurel Park. She has banked $315,070 in total earnings from a consistent record of 9-3-4-0. Weaver said he is proud to see the mare add a graded win to her resume.
“It's real gratifying seeing her put in that kind of performance (Saturday),” said Weaver. “She deserves it and she's that good of a filly. Heck, I'm a little ashamed I haven't been able to show that until now, but better late than never.”
Weaver said it is likely Pass the Champagne will now target a return to top-level competition in the Grade 1, $500,000 Ogden Phipps going 1 1/16 miles over Big Sandy on June 10. The Ogden Phipps is a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff in November at Santa Anita Park.
“We'll definitely nominate there and I do think – and always did think – that she's a filly that appreciates the big, wide turns at Belmont,” said Weaver. “She ran big yesterday in her only start at Belmont, and I don't think we have a choice but to give her a chance to be a Grade 1 winner.”
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