NEWS
Christine Daae makes it look easy at Gulfstream
Posted: Sunday, February 28, 2010 5:29 PM
by Mike Curry
Highly regarded three-year-old filly Christine Daae was an easy winner on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, opening a clear advantage under a hand ride from Corey Nakatani and coasting to a 2 3/4-length victory as the 2-to-5 favorite.
The Giant’s Causeway filly was entered in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Gulfstream, but trainer Patrick Biancone scratched her in favor of Sunday’s 1 1/8-mile first-level allowance race. Christine Daae stalked pacesetter Kitty in a Tizzy from second, rallied on the outside of that opponent on the far turn, and shook free with easy acceleration. She covered the distance in 1:50.26 on a track rated as fast ro improve to two wins in three starts.
Christine Daae turned heads with a dominant win in her previous start. She surged well clear to win a seven-furlong maiden special weight race by 8 3/4 lengths on January 15 at Gulfstream. The time of 1:21.67 was less than a second off the track record of 1:20.88, set on March 28 in the Swale Stakes (G2), which was won by Big Drama after the disqualification of This Ones for Phil.
One of eight fillies among the early nominations for the 2010 Triple Crown, Christine Daae is the first starter produced by Grade 3-placed stakes winner Descapate, by Dehere. Biancone trains Christine Daae for owners Michael Imperio and Kona Stables.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
