Swift Temper runs past Seventh Street in Ruffian

Temper was too Swift for Seventh Street (Melissa Wirth/Horsephotos.com) Mark Stanley’s SWIFT TEMPER (Giant’s Causeway) overhauled the heavily favored Seventh Street (Street Cry [Ire]) at the top of the stretch and went on to post a two-length victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Ruffian H. (G1), netting the first Grade 1 victory of her career. Trained by Dale Romans, the chestnut mare has enjoyed a career-best season at five, garnering wins in the Delaware H. (G2) and Sixty Sails H. (G3) this year, and she entered the Ruffian off a runner-up finish to Icon Project (Empire Maker) in the Personal Ensign S. (G1). With Alan Garcia in the saddle, Swift Temper stalked a couple of lengths back in third as Be Fair (Exchange Rate) and Seventh Street raced close together over the muddy Belmont Park track through early splits in :23 and :45 2/5. Be Fair began to throw in the towel as Seventh Street reached the three-quarters mark in 1:09 3/5, but Swift Temper was advancing behind her and grabbed a short lead on the outside entering the stretch drive. The two distaffers dueled briefly in midstretch, but Swift Temper had all the momentum and drew away late, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:40 2/5. “My filly broke OK and I saw (Be Fair) go to the lead. I said, ‘let me be behind and see what I have left,'” Garcia explained. “I thought maybe I could make a surprise on the outside and intimidate (Seventh Street). Maybe my filly did intimidate her a little bit and (Swift Temper) took advantage and won the race.”

“I think outside of the top two or three (older fillies and mares), she’s as
good as anybody,” Romans said. “She’s really gotten good this summer. I didn’t
like (bringing her back in 13 days), but she came out of the last race (Personal
Ensign) better than any race I’ve had her for. I was a little more concerned
about the shortening up of the distance, if she’d be fresh enough to be close
like she was, but it worked out well.” 

Sent off the 9-2 second choice among five betting interests, the winner
returned $11.40, $3 and $2.30. Multiple Grade 1 winner Seventh Street, the 1-5
favorite along with entrymate Skylighter (Sky Mesa), paid $2.10 and $2.10. It
was 8 3/4 lengths back to third-placer Luna Vega (Malibu Moon), who gave back
$2.50 at 6-1. Skylighter, Be Fair and Exotic Indy (A.P. Indy) rounded out the
order of finish. The exacta totaled $20.40, and the 2-1-5 trifecta was worth
$36.80.

Besides the Delaware H. and Sixty Sails, Swift Temper also captured the
Gardenia H. (G3) last year and owns five graded placings, including the 2008
Chilukki S. (G2) and 2009 runnings of the Fleur de Lis H. (G2), Louisville
Distaff.
(G2) and Sabin S. (G3). The chestnut mare, who was bred in Kentucky by Richard
Nip and Omar Trevino, brought $285,000 as a Keeneland September purchase. She’s
now bankrolled $1,293,346 to go along with a 28-6-4-3 career line.

Produced by the winning Seeking the Gold mare Glasgow’s Gold, Swift Temper is
a half-sister to multiple stakes victress Croisiere (Capote) and an unnamed 2009
filly by Vindication. Swift Temper’s third dam, Canadian champion Kamar (Key to
the Mint), produced Canadian champion Key to the Moon (Wajima), multiple Grade 1
winner Gorgeous (Slew O’ Gold) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Seaside Attraction
(Seattle Slew), who in turn produced champion Golden Attraction (Mr.
Prospector), French highweight Desert Lord (Green Desert) and Grade 1 winner
Cape Town (Seeking the Gold). This is the same family as multiple highweight
Swain (Ire) (Nashwan), grass champion Fantastic Light (Rahy), Canadian champion
Square Angel (Quadrangle), and Grade 1 winners Cuddles (Mr. Prospector) and Love
Smitten (Key to the Mint).