2020 Eclipse Awards: Aunt Pearl
Perfection was the hallmark of Aunt Pearl during a 2-year-old season in which she won her three starts by a combined 10 lengths, all in front-running fashion. Competing exclusively in two-turn turf races, the Irish-bred filly never left the Kentucky circuit, capturing a maiden race, an allowance, and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in a span of less than 10 weeks.
Trained by Brad Cox, Aunt Pearl was unveiled on Sept. 1 at her home track, Churchill Downs, winning a one-mile maiden race by five lengths under Florent Geroux, who rode her throughout the year. She then dominated the Grade 2 Jessamine on Oct. 7 at Keeneland, using the same take-no-prisoners strategy. She never gave the opposition a chance, lowering the stakes record by more than one second and getting 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.86.
“She has short legs, but they move very fast, for sure,” Geroux said afterward. “I’m very impressed with her.”
“She’s very gifted and naturally quick,” said Cox. “Speed is her weapon.”
Bet down to 5-2 favoritism in a full field of 14 in the Grade 1 BC Juvenile Fillies Turf on Nov. 6 at Keeneland, Aunt Pearl once again sped straight to the lead, loping along unchallenged before finishing a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Mother Earth. She earned a 91 Beyer Speed Figure after finishing the one-mile distance in 1:35.71.
:: Full list of 2020 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories
“Our plan was to take it to them,” said Cox. “She really relaxed and showed her class.”
Aunt Pearl is owned by the six-way partnership of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Peter Deutsch, Michael Kisber, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables. She was purchased from the 2019 Tattersalls October yearling sales in England by Liz Crow for BSW Euro Venture.
Aunt Pearl, by Lope de Vega out of Matauri Pearl, by Hurricane Run, was bred in Ireland by Ecurie Des Charmes and Ballylinch Stud. She ended the year with $652,784 in earnings.
Aunt Pearl got a break following the Breeders’ Cup and will soon be breezing at Fair Grounds toward major events for 3-year-old turf fillies, with Cox having mentioned the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June as a likely target.
Despite her stellar record, Aunt Pearl likely was at a disadvantage in terms of final Eclipse voting given that dirt form tends to be more valued by voters within divisions such as this.