G. Howard Spink’s SNOWDROPS (GB) (Gulch) saved ground along the rail early and
cruised home late under a sharp ride from Edgar Prado in taking the $100,000
Suwannee River H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Trained by Christophe
Clement, the gray was never far away from pacesetter Angela’s Love (Not for
Love) as she led the group through splits of :24 2/5, :48 3/5, 1:12 and 1:34 3/5
for the initial mile. As they approached for home, Prado shifted the mare to the
outside and she did the rest, completing nine firm turf furlongs in 1:46 2/5.
The winner was good for $9.40, $4.40 and $3 at 7-2.
Angela’s Love ran big while on the lead, but ultimately settled for the place
in this one. The 2-1 betting choice paid $3.80 and $3 while completing the
$12.40 exacta ($1). High Court (Brz) (Blush Rambler), the lone closer to make up
significant ground, rushed home to earn third a neck shy of second at 5-1. Show
paid $4.20, while the trifecta ($1) returned $57.10 ($1) and the 1-2-9-5
superfecta ($1) gave back $381.10.
Honey Ryder (Lasting Approval) was next and followed by Galloping Gal
(Victory Gallop), Binya (Ger) (Royal Solo [Ire]), Savedbythelight (Saint Ballado),
Krasnaya (Red Ransom), Banyu Dewi (Ger) (Poliglote [GB]) and Key to the Cat
(Tale of the Cat). Mymich (A.P. Indy) was withdrawn.
Snowdrops had not won in four consecutive starts but broke through here in a
big way, nabbing her first graded tally. The consistent five-year-old moved her
mark to 16-7-3-1 with a bankroll of $318,354. Her wins include the Pago Hop S.
and Politely S., with a placing earned in the My Charmer H. (G3) last year.
The winner was bred in Great Britain by West Lodge Stud and produced from the
stakes-placed Roses in the Snow (Ire) (Be My Guest). Snowdrops also has a pair of
unnamed, unraced half-siblings, a two-year-old filly by Smoke Glacken and a
yearling filly by Holy Bull.