It’s gearing up to be another big year for FLATTER after his Grade 1-placed daughter Pass The Champagne made her return to the races a winning one at Gulfstream Park on Thursday.
Finishing just a head behind Malathaat in the Ashland Stakes (G1) last April, the filly was last seen in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) before resurfacing nine months later in this spot. Racing over seven furlongs, Pass The Champagne broke a step slowly but was quickly in stride and was put in a position to stalk the leader.
With three furlongs left to go and only two other horses anywhere near her, Pass The Champagne was mounting a challenge and found little resistance to fight against. The filly outclassed everyone in the field, steadily pulling away down the stretch with 2 ¾ lengths in hand at the line.
Trained by George Weaver for R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, Rock Ridge Racing LLC, BlackRidge Stables LLC and James Brown, Pass The Champagne now has 4 top two finishes in five starts for $160,070 in earnings.
The Preston Madden-bred filly is one of three stakes performers out of the stakes winning Champagne Taste alongside BLAME’s Grade 3 winner Miss Kentucky and Pulpit’s stakes-placed Los Borrachos.
Pass The Champagne has a 2-year-old full sister named Time For Champagne and a yearling filly from the first crop of CATHOLIC BOY.