Translation of an original article by Carlos Flores (www.emocionhipica.com)
Older mare Sweet Daughter gave a demonstration of guts and heart to hold off rival Salma Vera winning the 2014 edition of the Clasico Dia de las Madres-G2, held May 24th at the Hipodromo V Centenario in Santo Domingo. The event is the premier stakes race for mares aged 3 and older.
The 5 year-old daughter of RSA stallion Rationalexuberance out of Triple Crown winner Sweet Honey (by El Tractor P.) gave evidence of her great conditioning and stopped the clock in a time of 1:26.2.
After recovering from a cold start, Sweet Daughter quickly displayed her astonishing early speed to take the lead of the event by four lengths while being chased by Ana Tani and Salma Vera who were fighting for second position, at the same time Cindry Karla (Rationalexuberance) was leading Priscilinda who was in the last position after a poor start. After cruising through the first 400 meters in 24.2, Sweet Daughter received harassment from Salma Vera and Ana Tani, which matched strides with the sprinter entering the final turn and engaged in a brief struggle for first place. It was then that rider Odalis Severino sought a reaction from his mount, which extended her lead in the final 600 meters, completing the 800 meters interval in 48.2.
Entering the stretch, Sweet Daughter dominated Salma Vera by 2 lengths and attempted to cruise by from second position to the lead, approaching Sweet Daughter dangerously in the last 200 meters, passing the 1200 meter pole in 1:13 flat. The maximum urging from rider Luis Jimenez upon RSA’s Salma Vera was ineffective as Sweet Daughter did not yield to the final attack, holding full neck for the win at the event which featured DOP $187,000 pesos in prizes.
It was the first classic victory for the Par Five Stable, owned by Dr. Alfonso Brossa. The fledgling stable remains unbeaten in five lifetime presentations, all accumulated since the private purchase of the race winner. The transaction was recommended by RSA’s Dr. Angel Contreras, a colleague and business associate of Dr. Brossa. The mare is also managed by RSA.
It was the seventh consecutive win for Sweet Daughter, a mare bred at Rancho San Antonio, and has not lost since Oct. 15, 2013 when she finished third to champions Abuelo Tito and RSA’s Exquisita at a distance of 1,300 meters. With this win the Juan Jimenez’ trained Champion Sprinter has 21 wins, 4 seconds and two thirds, from in 27 lifetime presentations.
RSA’s Salma Vera had to settle for second while Ana Tani took third , Cindry Karla reached fourth place and Priscilinda finished last.