Regal Glory surges in Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Chad Brown has won almost every important filly-mare turf race in North America over the last decade or so. The four-time champion trainer wasted no time adding another one to his lengthy list when Regal Glory swooped to a decisive victory Saturday in the inaugural running of the Grade 3, $490,500 Pegasus Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.
Confidently ridden by Jose Ortiz, Regal Glory overcame a spot of early trouble before looping the field on the final turn en route to a 2 1/2-length triumph. The 6-year-old daughter of Animal Kingdom returned $3.60 as a heavy favorite in a field of 10 after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.74 over firm going. She was given a 100 Beyer Speed Figure.
“They went fast early on,” Ortiz said. “About the three-eighths pole, I was sitting on a lot of horse. You could see she was ready, and I just passed them all.”
Regal Glory rallied widest of all when surging clear of a three-way photo for second. Alms, a 19-1 shot who led much of way, fought back to get the place by a neck over Shifty She, who had grabbed a short lead at the furlong grounds. Gift List closed late to be just another head back in fourth.
Regal Glory, bred by the late Paul Pompa Jr., is owned by Peter Brant, who was on hand. Brant bought the mare for $925,000 out of the Pompa dispersal at Keeneland a little more than a year ago. He said he is inclined to breed her this year – she is booked to Into Mischief – but will consult further with Brown, given how dominant she was Saturday.
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“Mr. Brant and I were watching her train this week and we were remarking how sound she is and how great she looks at this age,” Brown said. “It’s not out of the question to run her at 6. I’m going to let him enjoy this win, and we’re going to look at the horse, and ultimately he’s going to decide.”
Regal Glory, a multiple graded winner, was coming off a win in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar in late November. The chestnut Kentucky-bred now has won 10 of 17 starts and has earned $1,529,844, all under Brown’s care.
The $2 exacta (4-6) paid $37.80, the $1 trifecta (4-6-9) returned $121, and the 10-cent superfecta (4-6-9-5) was worth $67.49.