Third Grade 1 win for daughter of Daredevil
The Kenneth McPeek-trained Swiss Skydiver (4 m Daredevil - Expo Gold by Johannesburg) opened her account as a four-year-old with a victory in the Beholder Mile Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Santa Anita on Saturday - her third victory at top-flight level.
The daughter of Lane’s End Farm-based Daredevil (More Than Ready) always looked to be travelling comfortably, eventually pulling away to beat As Time Goes By (American Pharaoh) by two and three quarter lengths. Golden Principal (Constitution) was a further length and three-quarters away in third.
"She breathes different air, you know? She's just really special," McPeek told TVG. "We've been so honored to be around her. Peter Callahan and his family are having a blast with this, which they should. It's such a humbling business for the most part. Being around her is amazing. I'm really proud of my team.”
McPeek said the mare would now either be aimed at the Apple Blossom Handicap (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Oaklawn Park on April 17 or the La Troienne Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Churchill Downs on April 30 and should the mare tackle the former she will likely renew her rivalry with multiple Grade 1-winning mare Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), who defeated her into seventh in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (Gr 1, 9f) last November.
The mare was purchased by her trainer for US$35,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and she is one of four winners out of winning Expo Gold (Johannesburg), who was herself purchased by Hunter Valley Farm for US$950,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Sale last year.
Swiss Skydiver is one of two Grade 1 winners with his other being Shedaresthedevil, who added a fourth stakes race to her record when she landed the Azeri Stakes (Gr 2, 8.5f) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Daredevil is standing for a fee of US$25,000.
