Sharing came ready to run in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Friday, holding off a late challenge from rival Hendy Woods at the wire of the mile-long turf contest. Under the guidance of Manny Franco, Sharing broke sharply and was keen for the lead in the early going of the race before agreeing to settle for Franco behind pacesetter In Good Spirits, tracking a pedestrian early pace. The filly, who was 3-5 by race time, kicked into gear enthusiastically at the top of the stretch and took command, drawing clear for her fifth lifetime victory.
Sharing paid $3.20 to win.
Lucky Betty was fourth behind Hendy Woods. The final time for the mile was 1:36.87.
The win for the Graham Motion trainee comes after some difficulty with foot issues following her trip to Royal Ascot, where she was second in the G1 Coronation. She had originally been slated to ship to California after her return from England, but instead required the summer off. Previous wins include the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Tepin Stakes.
Sharing is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable. She was bred in Maryland by Sagamore Farm and is the daughter of Speightstown and Pleasantly Perfect mare Shared Account.
No doubt Franco is hopeful Sharing's victory is a sign of good things to come for him this weekend, as he will be aboard odds-on Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law on Saturday.
See the full chart here
EDGEWOOD QUOTES, courtesy of the Churchill Downs media office
Manny Franco (winning rider, Sharing) — “She has tactical speed. She broke out of there good and put me in a position where I wanted to go. After that, she knows how to get it done. She is so nice and has a really good turn of foot. She is very professional.”
Graham Motion (winning trainer, Sharing) — “I can't lie, I was pretty anxious about it because she was coming off a long trip and a long break. But she's so classy, she makes us all look good I think. She had a great work last weekend and Manny (Franco) gave her a perfect ride. It couldn't have set up any better quite honestly.
“I figured she probably would be (a little fresh). The last thing I said was just tell Manny to keep her settled. She hasn't run for a while so it's not surprising but she's never overly anxious. She's such a pro.
“The only question I have in my mind is how far she wants to go. She obviously loves this distance. The next race would be 1 1/8 miles if we go to the QE2 at Keeneland. I don't know if she wants to go that far, I don't know why she wouldn't, but she seems awfully good going a mile. I think the QE2 is a race anyone with a good 3-year-old filly wants to go. I'm so tickled to get a race under her now because this makes it easier going forward now we've got this level of fitness. And I can't say enough about working with Aron (Wellman) and Antony (Beck). I feel like we've called the right shots and it's because of them, they've never put any pressure on me.”
John Velazquez (rider, Hendy Woods, second) – “She ran really well. She's looking at the infield and everything. She's not kind of settled behind the horses there. But finally she got settled on the second turn. I made a run with her. A good horse beat her today.”
Mark Casse (trainer, Hendy Woods, second) – “Very pleased. I want to talk to (jockey) Johnny (Velazquez) because twice he checked her and fell back in the saddle. I don't know if that cost us anything but definitely when you run against a filly like that (Sharing) and run second, there is no shame.”
Declan Cannon (rider, Lucky Betty, third) — “She kind of was not liking the soft ground, but I got in behind Sharing down the back and she made one run. She tried hard. I wish it was harder ground because she may have gotten a lot closer to Sharing, but my hat's off to the winner. She's the best in the country right now.”
The post Sharing Leaves No Doubt With Decisive Edgewood Victory Under Franco appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
