MASTERY’s Midnight Memories went 2-for-2 Sunday at Santa Anita when the 3-year-old filly won an Allowance Optional Claiming race by a neck.
Racing as the favorite for Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, the filly showed a different dimension when she overcame much trouble for the victory. It started with a stumble out of the gate in the 6 ½ furlong dirt race before she was crowded once she was back into stride.
The filly was forced to go four wide on the turn in order to make her move but she showed she was the best in the stretch. The long-time pacesetting Smitten By Kitten didn’t want to give in but Midnight Memories forced her hand in the final furlong and was able to get her neck in front in the end.
The Sean McCarthy trainee was bed by her owners out of their Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed homebred Tiz Midnight. That mare is out of their multiple Grade 1 winner Tough Tiz’s Sis, who has four winners from seven to run.
The MASTERY daughter’s first victory came on her debut in April when she finished over 10 lengths in front of the third placed runner.