The last time Miss Sky Warrior was seen in competition it was wiring the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) going nine furlongs at Aqueduct on November 26.
The Kelly Breen trainee reappeared on Saturday, this time in Florida, and proceeded to earn her fourth straight victory with a gutsy win in the $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
With jockey Paco Lopez aboard, the First Samurai filly settled into fourth early on as Ellie’s Honor set the opening quarter in :23.65 before being overtaken by Jordan’s Henny, who got the half-mile in :46.60. Modacious tracked in second for those opening splits but moved up to stick her head in front past six furlongs in 1:11.66.
Miss Sky Warrior moved with Modacious while three wide and soon took command of the one-mile contest. The 2-1 favorite held off a tenacious Jordan’s Henny by a half-length on the wire in a final time of 1:38.49, while Summer Lucky rallied late in the lane to take third, just a neck back of second.
Sent off the 2-1 favorite, Miss Sky Warrior paid $6.40. Jordan’s Henny refused to back off at 19-1 and ended up just holding second by a neck over 9-1 fifth choice Summer Luck, who in turn finished 3 1/4 lengths in front of Modacious on the line.
Brahms Cat came next and was followed under the wire by 3-1 second favorite Pretty City Dancer, Yes I’ll Go, Eloquent Riddle, Gran Cherry, From Ria to Riches, Ellie’s Honor and Champagne Problems. Aspen Hilltop was pulled up after stumbling over Saratoga Citizen, who fell and was vanned off.
Miss Sky Warrior now boasts a 5-4-0-0 mark and $461,590 in lifetime earnings. In addition to the Demoiselle she also captured the Tempted Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct last November 5, just three weeks after breaking her maiden by seven lengths at Parx Racing.
Bred in Kentucky by Arlene London and campaigned by Arlene’s Sun Star Stable, Miss Sky Warrior is out of the winning Conquistador Cielo mare Sky Minister and comes from the same female family as Grade 2 hero and successful sire Put It Back.
DAVONA DALE QUOTES
Kelly Breen, trainer Miss Sky Warrior, winner
“I like to think the further she goes, the better she goes. She had a great post position (7) and was able to stalk (the leaders) from the outside. The stars were aligned, and everything worked out great.
“There will be some decisions to be made. We’ll see how (Unique Bella) runs in California today. Maybe we have to step up our performance to run against her, and maybe we will meet up in the (May 5) Kentucky Oaks (G1). To have a horse of this caliber is a lot of fun.”
Paco Lopez, jockey Miss Sky Warrior, winner
“I know she has more speed, but I wanted to keep her in the middle of the track. I stayed four or five lengths back. I waited and waited before I asked her. Someone came to the outside, and I hit her one time and she gave me her run.”
