Saratoga. For fillies, three-years olds. (1 1/8 miles, turf)
Winner: FIONN (USA, 22, dark bay filly, by Twirling Candy out of Gaelic Gold, by Giant’s Causeway). Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad H. Cox. Owner: Messina, George and Lee, Michael. Breeder: Dixiana Farms, LLC. Time: 1:44.84 (New track record).
Fionn, a 3-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, upset heavy favorite Nitrogen with a dramatic nose victory in the $500,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T), held Saturday, July 5 at Saratoga Race Course as part of the July 4th Racing Festival. Ridden by Flavien Prat and trained by Brad Cox, Fionn launched a sweeping move from fifth, rallied five wide in the stretch, and nailed Nitrogen at the wire, setting a new track record for 1 1/8 miles on turf with a blazing time of 1:44.84. Bred by Dixiana Farms and purchased for $75,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, Fionn has now won five of her last six starts, including the Regret Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs. Nitrogen, who was coming off five straight wins, including a dominant performance in the Wonder Again Stakes on sloppy dirt, led late but was caught in the final stride. Opulent Restraint, who set the pace, held on for third. Fionn is now being considered for the Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G2T) on August 9. The victory was also the second graded win of the day for Twirling Candy progeny, who stands at Lane’s End for a $60,000 stud fee in 2025.
Fionn, una tresañera hija de Twirling Candy, sorprendió a la gran favorita Nitrogen al imponerse por nariz en un electrizante final del Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T), disputado el sábado 5 de julio en el Saratoga Race Course, como parte del Festival de Carreras del 4 de Julio. Conducida por Flavien Prat, la pupila de Brad Cox vino desde la quinta posición, giró amplia en la recta final y cerró con fuerza para atrapar a Nitrogen en el último salto, estableciendo un nuevo récord de pista para 1.800 metros en césped con crono de 1:44.84. Criada por Dixiana Farms y adquirida por US$75.000 en la subasta de Keeneland 2023, Fionn ha ganado cinco de sus últimas seis salidas, incluyendo el Regret Stakes (G3T) en Churchill Downs. Nitrogen, que venía de cinco triunfos seguidos, incluyendo una paliza en la Wonder Again Stakes sobre pista fangosa, lideró el remate hasta ser sorprendida al final. Opulent Restraint, que impuso el ritmo inicial, quedó tercera. La victoria podría llevar a Fionn al Saratoga Oaks (G2T) del 9 de agosto. El triunfo también marcó el segundo grado selectivo en la jornada para hijos de Twirling Candy, que en 2025 se desempeña como semental en Lane’s End por una tarifa de US$60.000.
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