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If you were to draw up the textbook definition of the perfect stalking trip, you would base it on Awesome Feather's trip in the Sunshine Million Distaff. Sitting just off a solid pace set by 8/5 second choice Tiz the Argument, Awesome Feather put away the front-runner at the top of the far turn, was asked for more run when Delightful Mary came from the back to make a run, and easily put away her rivals over the final furlongs.
Tiz the Argument, a nice looking filly that came into the Sunshine Millions Distaff on a three race winning streak, was made to look like a cheap claimer after Awesome Feather stalked her into submission. Delightful Mary, a filly that finished 3rd to Awesome Feather in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, made a spirited run to get within striking range at the top of the lane but had no shot of seriously threatening the winner inside the quarter pole.
Awesome Feather, the 2010 champion juvenile filly, is now a perfect nine-for-nine in her career and will be a force to be reckoned with in the Distaff division this year. Awesome Feather, a four-year-old daughter of Awesome of Course out of a Gone West mare (Precious Feather), is trained by Chad Brown and ridden by Jeffrey Sanchez. She is owned by Stronach Stables.
Result Chart (via DRF.com)
Race Replay (via Gulfstream Park YouTube page)
Fractions:
1/4: 23.46
1/2: 46.69
3/4: 1:10.82
Mile: 1:36.21
Finish: 1:49.17
Internal Splits:
1/4: 23.46
1/2: 23.23
3/4: 24.13
Mile: 25.39
Finish: 12.96