NEWS
Wild Promises wins Sunshine Millions F&M Turf
Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009 7:27 PM
WILD PROMISES EASILY TAKES SUNSHINE MILLIONS F&M TURF
Susie Raisher photo
by Ron Parker
Northern California-based Wild Promises picked up her sixth straight stakes win on Saturday as she closed from off the pace to win the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park under confident handling by jockey Aaron Gryder.
Sent off as the 7-to-10 favorite, the five-year-old Wild Event mare won four stakes races in Northern California before she was shipped to Calder Race Course for a front-running victory in the My Charmer Handicap (G3) on December 6.
Wild Promises showed a different dimension in the Filly and Mare Turf as Gryder settled her in third behind pacesetters Elusive Lady and Julia Tuttle. Entering the lane in the 1 1/8-mile turf race, Gryder gave Wild Promises her cue and she charged to the front for a comfortable 1 ¾-length victory.
“I wasn’t worried about having the lead because I knew we would get an opportunity to get in there,” Gryder said. “I just sneaked in behind Edgar [Prado on Julia Tuttle] and got myself a nice spot. She really made her move at the half-mile pole, I never felt any pressure. How could you with a horse like this?”
Elusive Lady held on to finish second, 1 ¼ lengths clear of late-running Snow Cone.
Wild Promises covered the distance in 1:47.82 on firm turf.
A half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Icy Atlantic, Wild Promises is owned by the estate of the late Harry Aleo and is out of the Frosty the Snowman mare Frosty Promise. The victory increased her earnings to $656,610 with 12 wins in 17 starts.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
