Thewayyouare’s first winner scores at Churchill

The cleverly-named filly Tomei scored by 1 3/4 lengths in her second career start on Sunday at Churchill Downs, becoming the first winner for Group 1 winner and freshman sire Thewayyouare.

Ridden by apprentice Dylan Davis, the filly stalked the pace before pulling away in midstretch, covering 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.74. She previously finished seventh in her debut at Keeneland Race Course on April 11.

Tomei was homebred by trainer Wesley Ward and actor Joe Pesci, who starred in the 1992 comedy My Cousin Vinny alongside Marisa Tomei. She won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Her namesake filly filly was bred in Florida, and is out of the Fusaichi Pegasus mare Teriffany. Her second dam is multiple graded stakes-placed winner Pesci, who raced for the same connections.

Thewayyouare, an 8-year-old son of Kingmambo, stands at Coolmore Stud’s Irish base in Co. Tipperary for about $5,200 (4,000 euros). Out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Maryinsky, he is a half-brother to European champion filly and Irish classic winner Peeping Fawn. Maryinsky is out of Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride and is thus a half-sister to Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, the dam of champion and Belmont winner Rags to Riches, Belmont winner Jazil, Grade 2 winner Casino Drive, and Breeders’ Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron.

Thewayyouare won four of nine starts and earned $340,968 in his racing career, highlighted by the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. He has 58 foals in his first crop.