My Sister Nat notches second consecutive Waya Stakes triumph
Same race. Different distance. Different track. No problem for My Sister Nat, who defended the title she won in the 2020 Waya Stakes at Saratoga in convincing fashion Sunday at Belmont Park, circling the field on the final turn to register a 2 1/2-length victory over stablemate Orglandes while likely earning herself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf in the process.
My Sister Nat was winless in seven starts since rallying from last to a neck decision over Mrs Sippy in last year’s Grade 3 Waya, which was decided at 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga. The distance changed along with the venue on Sunday: the Waya was shortened to a mile and three furlongs at its new home at Belmont Park.
As was the case in the 2020 Waya, My Sister Nat raced near the rear of the field during the early going, having only her stablemate Orglandes behind her for the opening mile. My Sister Nat moved swiftly once given her cue by jockey Jose Ortiz Jr. upon entering the second turn, swiftly collared the leaders entering the stretch, quickly pulled clear and was never menaced thereafter.
Orglandes also advanced outside horses on the final bend, finishing willingly enough to wear down the tiring pacesetter Always Shopping by a neck to finish second.
My Sister Nat, a younger sister of the champion turf mare Mysistercharlie, is trained by Chad Brown for owner Peter Brant. She completed the distance over a firm course in 2:15.37, getting a 94 Beyer Speed Figure, and returned $3.00.
“She’s had a very consistent career,” said Dan Stupp, assistant to Brown, who was not in attendance on Sunday. “Sometimes pace dynamics don’t work out in her favor, but Jose always rides her well and she always shows up. They were going a little slow early on, but she was also very comfortable and had quite a bit of run. She was able to overcome that pretty easily.”
Ortiz, My Sister Nat’s regular rider who was also aboard for her victory in the 2020 Waya, said he felt he had his mount in the right position even with the very slow pace.
“Around the three-eighths pole I put her in the clear and she gave me such a great feeling,” Ortiz said. “She was just handling the course really well. She gave me a great kick from the three-eighths pole to the wire.”