American Pharoah filly Promiseher America surprises in Gazelle

Apr 08, 2023 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Promiseher America was dismissed as the 26-1 longest shot on the board in Saturday’s $250,000 Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct, considering that she was making her stakes and two-turn debut. But the daughter of Triple Crown star American Pharoah proved her odds all wrong by beating stakes veterans and guaranteeing herself a spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Trained by Raymond Handal for Hoffman Thoroughbreds and Tom McCrocklin, Promiseher America was stepping up from a Feb. 19 maiden romp around Aqueduct’s one-turn mile. That was her third try to break her maiden, and on overall form, she needed to improve to factor on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks.
Promiseher America rose to the occasion, withstanding a gauntlet of challenges from better-fancied rivals. With new rider Jorge Vargas Jr. aboard, the chestnut stalked pacesetter Capella through slow fractions. 
Also well placed early, however, was 9-5 favorite Occult, who was draped alongside Promiseher America. Occult appeared poised to kick on, just as she had done in her victory in the Jan. 14 Busanda S. over this track and trip. Yet Occult failed to pick up, and instead, the unheralded longshot was the one taking advantage of her ideal trip. 
Collaring Capella on the far turn, Promiseher America struck the front and fended off Occult, who weakened tamely. The next to challenge was Occult’s stablemate, Shidabhuti, but her effort flattened out late. Then Gambling Girl rolled onto the scene from last, but again, Promiseher America found more to parray that final thrust.
By keeping on determinedly for the length of the stretch, Promiseher America prevailed by a half-length. She clocked 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.41, paid $55 to win, and collected 100 points toward the Kentucky Oaks.

“I liked her today,” Handal said. “She was 12-1 (on the morning line) and only had to improve a little bit. She’s run similar figures to everyone else…

“She’s just built like a two-turn kind of horse. She obviously had to step up. It was one of those races where whoever took the biggest step forward would win this race today, and she was in the realm of them and she hung on.”

Gambling Girl added 40 points as the runner-up, increasing her total to 61. Shidabhuti crossed the wire another 1 1/2 lengths back in third, good for 30 points for an overall tally of 80. Capella tired to fourth, and her 20-point deposit gives her 35 in all. Occult’s fifth-place effort (10 points) lifts her to 30 points. Frosty O Toole trailed the six-filly field.
Promiseher America’s resume now reads 4-2-1-0, $198,138. She was bred by Robert and Lawana Low in Kentucky and sold for $75,000 as a juvenile at OBS April. McCrocklin, who consigned her to that sale as agent, ended up becoming her co-owner. Out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Promisedyouheaven, Promiseher America hails from the family of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) heroine Mizdirection. 

Later Saturday in the $401,500 Santa Anita Oaks (G2), Faiza remained unbeaten with a 6 1/2-length victory. The Michael Lund Petersen colorbearer is ineligible for the Kentucky Oaks because trainer Bob Baffert is suspended by Churchill Downs Inc.

Best of the rest was And Tell Me Nolies, who earned 40 points to boost her total to 70. Third-placer Window Shopping was involved in a chain reaction of interference that resulted in a stewards’ inquiry. There was no change to the order of finish. Window Shopping (30 points), Clearly Unhinged in fourth (20 points), and the fifth Venganza (10 points) rounded out the points allocations in the eight-horse field. Princess Bettina was scratched.

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