ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 28, 2019)–Idle since July 5, Brill made her first start on grass a winning one Saturday at Santa Anita, as she went to the lead out of the gate under Mike Smith and never looked back, winning the $75,000 Lady of Shamrock Stakes by 1 ¾ lengths. Trained by Don Chatlos, the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro got a flat mile over a turf course rated as “good” in 1:35.75.
With Flavien Prat off of his opening day mounts due to illness, Hall of Fame veteran Mike Smith stepped into the void and despite the fact Brill was taking blinkers off today, she showed plenty of natural speed.
“We felt she’d be on the lead,” said Chatlos. “She’s just a quick horse. She had been chasing some very fast fillies earlier this year at Oaklawn Park and it didn’t look like there was anything in here today of that caliber.
“We put her on the grass because being by Medaglia d’Oro, we thought she’d like it and we think the grass will be better for her in the long run.”
Fourth, beaten 18 lengths going 6 ½ furlongs in the Grade III Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park on July 5, Brill, who was purchased for $1 million as a Fasig Tipton July yearling by owner OXO Equine, LLC, was off at 7-2 in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies and paid $9.00, $4.80 and $3.00.
“She had the blinkers off today, but she turned it on really nice and handled the grass really well,” said Smith. “I think that’s the kind of race they’ve been looking to see out of her. I believe she’s going to forward off of this.”
Out of the Malibu Moon mare Hung the Moon, Brill, who was a close third three starts back in the Grade III Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn on April 12, picked up her first stakes win in her eighth career start and with the winner’s share of $48,840 she increased her earnings to $231,040.
Off as the 6-5 favorite, Keeper Ofthe Stars was attentive to the pace while saving ground throughout and proved second best, finishing 1 ¼ lengths in front of Lucky Peridot. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Keeper Ofthe Stars paid $2.80 and $2.20.
Off at 4-1 with Javier Castellano, Lucky Peridot prevailed by a nose over longshot Sold It and paid $2.80 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.06, 47.62, 1:12.38 and 1:24.15.
Via Santa Anita Press Release
