Segesta wins first Grade 1 with Matriarch Stakes
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Segesta had to win Sunday’s Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar to keep pace with the weekend accomplishments of her 3-year-old half-brother Salamis.
On Saturday, Salamis, who is by Speightstown, won his first Grade 1 in the $301,500 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar. Segesta, a 4-year-old filly by Ghostzapper, won her first Grade 1 in the $302,000 Matriarch Stakes.
Salamis and Segesta are out of Antonoe, the winner of the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park in 2017. Salamis and Segesta are owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Chad Brown.
Segesta gave Juddmonte Farms an unprecedented eighth win in the Matriarch Stakes. The famous stable had previously won the race with Ryafan (1996), Wandesta (1997), Heat Haze (2003), Intercontinental (2004), Price Tag (2006), Ventura (2009) and Viadera (2020).
Brown has won the race seven times, one fewer than the late Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. Brown worked for Frankel before he began training in 2007. Brown has won five of the six runnings of the Matriarch this decade.
The win by Segesta was expected.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Segesta ($5.40) closed from third in a field of nine to win by 2 1/4 lengths as the favorite. Segesta finished a mile on turf in 1:35.60 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.
“She gave me a first-class trip,” Prat said. “She was very handy.”
Segesta swept to the front with a three-wide move. Through the stretch, Prat vigorously hand-rode Segesta before hitting her with his whip a few times.
“She gave me a good run turning for home,” Prat said. “I wanted to keep her going.”
In Our Time, a 29-1 outsider, finished second after leading by as much as 1 1/2 lengths through early fractions of 23.65 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.06 for a half-mile.
“She really sprinted out of the gate,” said Javier Castellano, who rode In Our Time. “My job was to dictate the pace and slow it down.
“She finished really well, but the winner was best. It was a good second place.”
Ag Bullet, third in the 2024 Matriarch and second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint against males at Del Mar on Nov. 1, finished third at 5-2, beaten three lengths.
Breath Away finished fourth, followed by Heredia, Medoro, Ozara, Vibez and Spicybug.
Segesta has won 4 of 11 starts and earned $1,190,275. She finished second in her last two starts at a mile on turf for fillies and mares – the Grade 3, $1.31 million Ladies Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Aug. 30, and the Grade 1, $776,780 First Lady Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 4.
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