Spendarella impresses with Herecomesthebride triumph

Spendarella sped to the lead and scored an impressive victory in the Grade 3, $125,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes to close the Saturday card at Gulfstream Park.

No fractions or final time were posted immediately after the race, but Spendarella and jockey Jose Ortiz appeared to travel at a very legitimate clip. Spendarella and pace-chasing Lemieux opened up a wide gap on the rest of the field past the half-mile pole and around the far turn. Lemieux felt the pace and faded, but Spendaralla had plenty left.

First Opalina and then Mischievous Kiss tried to make a run at Spendaralla, but the filly was having none of it, crossing the line about 1 3/4 lengths best as Mischievous Kiss earned second over Opalina. Spendarella did not surprise the betting public, who made her the 8-5 favorite over 10 opponents. Spendarella paid $5.40 to win.

Spendarella was given a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

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Her performance was all the more impressive considering this was Spendarella’s second start. She’d gotten a great trip pressing a slow pace in a Gulfstream turf-route maiden race Feb. 2, drawing away to win by nearly three lengths, but the competition was much tougher Saturday and the pace, from the look of things, quicker. Spendarella handled it all with aplomb.

It’s a very promising start to the career of a filly trained by Graham Motion for her breeder, Gainesway Stable. Spendarella is by Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie and out of Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat. Spendarella is a sister to Grade 1 turf winner Spanish Queen and multiple turf-stakes winner Spanish Loveaffair.