NEWS
Forever Together voted champion turf female
Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 8:43 PM
FOREVER TOGETHER
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Frank Angst
The first United States-bred Thoroughbred to earn the turf female Eclipse Award since 2000 did not make her first career turf start until May 17 of her championship season.
Once Forever Together tried the grass, the Belong to Me filly thrived. In an impressive season-ending stretch, Forever Together earned three Grade 1 wins, closing the year with a three-quarter-length victory in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
Trainer Jonathan Sheppard initially switched Forever Together to turf to solve a problem. Sheppard thought the filly would run her best from off the pace but the winner of the 2007 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) on the main track at Gulfstream Park did not like the kickback of a dirt track. Sheppard thought turf would alleviate that problem and allow Forever Together to rate.
In her first turf start, Forever Together responded by winning the one-mile Reluctant Guest Stakes at Arlington Park. On July 26, she secured the first Grade 1 win of her career in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga Race Course before earning a second Grade 1 triumph in the First Lady Stakes on October 3 at Keeneland Race Course.
Forever Together is the first non-steeplechase Eclipse Award winner for owner George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable. His champion steeplechasers include Pompeyo (Chi) in 2001 and Cafe Prince in ‘77 and ’78. Horses trained by Sheppard have earned 11 Eclipse Awards.
Frank Angst is a Thoroughbred Times senior writer
| 2008 record |
|
|
|
|
| Starts |
Wins |
Second |
Third |
Earnings |
| 7 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
$1,803,993 |
