China Horse Club-bred Valiance lands Spinster Stakes at Keeneland.
In winning Sunday's Spinster Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) at Keeneland, the Todd Pletcher-trained Valiance (4 f ex Last Full Measure by Empire Maker) provided her Gainesway Farm-based sire Tapit (Pulpit) with his 27th Grade 1 winner.
Valiance came into Sunday's race having won her last two starts including the Eatontown Stakes (Listed, 8.5f) at Monmouth on August 29 and, having her first start in Grade 1 company, she scored a three quarter length victory over Ollie's Candy (Candy Ride). Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1, 9f) winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), who had made the running, was another two and a half lengths back in third.
The victory gives Valiance an automatic berth in next month's Breeders' Cup Distaff (Gr 1, 9f).
"(I'm) just blown away," said Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred. "It's been such an emotional year dealing with the craziest times that the world has seen. We're just so honored to win a race like this with such a regally bred filly."
Bred by China Horse Club and bought by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Marty Schwartz for US$650,000 at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Valiance is one of two winners and the only stakes winner out of Grade 1 winning mare Last Full Measure (Empire Maker) who is also out of a Grade 1 winner in Lazy Slusan (Slewvescent).
China Horse Club bought Last Full Measure for US$1.5 million at the 2014 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale and her Mastery (Candy Ride) filly sold for US$220,000 to Demi O'Byrne at this year's Fasig-Tipton Lexington Selected Yearling Showcase sale.
Tapit's 27 Grade 1 winners include Darley shuttler Frosted who is standing this season at Northwood Park for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST). Tapit is currently sitting in fifth place in the leading sires table in the USA and Canada by earnings with that table headed by Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday).
