Photo: Adam Coglianese
Stretching out an extra panel to test the 1/18-mile distance for the first time, Dayatthespa won the $150,000, Grade 3 Herecomesthebride Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf on Sunday by a neck, securing her first graded victory and staying a perfect two-for-two in her sophomore campaign.
The winning formula for Dayatthespa in her last start on the same surface on February 22 was a strong closing move from off-the-pace under Javier Castellano, as she took the Sweetest Chant S. Favored to win the Herecomesthebride at odds of 8-5, and drawn once again in the outside post of eight under Castellano, she got the win with an entirely different scenario.
Uncharacteristically fractious at the gate, Dayatthespa broke sharply, and dashed on up on the outside to secure the second spot, two lengths behind pacesetter Frolic’s Revenge. Dayatthespa raced at the leader’s flank under a hold through the clubhouse turn and along the backstretch for a quarter-mile in 24.00 and a half in 48.60. Through the far turn she drew even with Frolic’s Revenge, emerged at the top of the stretch with the lead and proceeded to open up a length on the field.
Photo: Adam Coglianese
Regalo Mia posed the most serious threat to Dayatthespa in the lane. After racing in midpack early on, Regalo Mia angled out for the drive, moved into second and continued to gain. Put to urging, Dayatthespa kept gamely on and preserved the win by a neck. After running a mile in 1:35.74, the chestnut daughter of City Zip completed nine furlongs in 1:47.30.
“She broke so fast,” said jockey Javier Castellano. “I thought before the race I would be sitting third tracking two horses that seemed to have speed, but after she broke so fast I just settled her down right off the pace.” Castellano added, “She was very impressive today. It was her first time going a mile and an eighth, and she did it beautifully. In the stretch, she saw the other horse coming and just ran on that much more.”
Trainer Chad Brown told the DRF by phone from Ocala, “I thought it was a great effort and a perfect ride by Javier. She broke better this time and he put her where she’s comfortable.” He also added that he would address her atypical gate behavior with a little extra schooling before her next start.
Owned in partnership by Jerry and Ronald Frankel, Steve Laymon and Bradley Thoroughbreds, Dayatthespa debuted a winner in state-bred company at Saratoga in early August. After finishing a strong second next out in the Natalma S. at Woodbine in September, she headed to the Breeders’ Cup. Dayatthespa appeared not to relish the give in the “good” Churchill turf course that day, but in the end was beaten only 5 1/2 lengths. Returning to the races after a two-month break, she captured the Sweetest Chant in her 3-year-old debut. Dayatthespa’s record now stands at 3-1-0 from five starts, including two stakes victories, with earnings of $214,892.
Bred by Castellare DiCracchiolo Stable, Cracchiolo and Goldsher, and foaled at Empire Stud in Hudson (now Vinery New York), Dayatthespa was a $50,000 Fasig-Tipton New York Preferred Yearling in 2010. Her dam, M’Lady Doc is an unplaced daughter of Doc’s Leader, and half-sister to Grade 3 winner and Saratoga and Colonial Downs turf course record-setter Phi Beta Doc. M’Lady Doc has produced three winners from three starters, including New York-bred $126,140-earner Doc Can Do (Quiet American). M’Lady Doc’s last reported foal is a 2-year-old colt, The Big Deluxe (Silver Wagon).
