Delaware Stakes Races Gr 3
8/14/2009

Dr. Sam Harrison Arabian Juvenile Fillies (G3)

article courtesy Stephanie J. Corum

There’s something pretty special with the girls this year. Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra are all the rage in thoroughbred racing. And Arabian racing has its own pair of talented ladies – Dixies Valentine and Dianne Walron’s latest standout Sand Witchh.

In the $20,000 Dr. Sam Harrison Arabian Juvenile Fillies (G3), Sand Witchh went off as the heavy favorite in the field of 7. She broke well and settled into second behind pacesetter Uncorked with Burning Fancy down along the inside. After a half-mile, William Hollick and Sand Witchh easily took the lead and pulled away eagerly. Burning Fancy stayed at the front end, but Uncorked gave way. Eve Of Easter, who had dropped back early, closed ground but she was not going to catch the top two. Sand Witchh galloped home most impressively winning by nearly 25 lengths in a time of 1:50.49 (over a second faster than the boys ran in the prior race). Scott Powell’s Burning Fancy was clearly second best while Mark Ashby’s Eve Of Easter closed well for third. She was followed by Calindaa, Uncorked, A Royal Flush and Victorias Zell.

Sand Witchh, who was also bred by Waldron, is now 3 for 3 with earnings of over $30,000 and a combined victory margin of over 41 lengths. She also won the Betsy Ross S. (G3) in July. She is the latest standout by leading sire Burning Sand. Her dam, Tornade Du Loup, was imported from France and a grade 1 stakes winner of over $100,000 for Waldron. She is also the dam of stakes-placed winner Ashton Rose (by Doran SBFAR).

Alec Courtelis Arabian Juvenile (G3)

Quite A Show appears to be well named as he has certainly put on a show in each of his three lifetime starts – all wins – and most recently in the 1 mile Alec Courtelis Arabian Juvenile (G3). In that race, Bill Waldron’s Grilla set a clear pace from the onset and was followed by Quite A Show, Dare To Dance and Full Of Fiesta. Grilla held onto his lead to the stretch, but gradually began to weaken. Quite A Show and Opening Act both took advantage. Quite A Show made his bid and drew away eagerly under mild urging by winning rider Ricardo Chiappe. Cre Run Enterprises LLC’s Opening Act, who had been far back early, rallied on the final turn, split horses in the stretch, but could not catch the winner. Quite A Show crossed the line with a 4 ½ length advantage in a time of 1:51.92 for the mile. Opening Act secured second with Grilla holding onto third. Full Of Fiesta, Bierton Belle, Tried N True, Primed And Ready, Dare To Dance, Dorudd and Sizedoesntmatter (who was off slowly) completed the field.

Quite A Show races for Anita Lee and has earned $30,540, which includes his share of the $20,000 purse. Loren Nichols of Trackside Farm in Florida bred and trains the son of Falina Des Fabries, who was known for siring high quality juveniles before his untimely passing in 2007. Quite A Show is out of the Virgule Al Maury daughter French Braids, a stakes winner of over $56,000 and full sister to stakes winner Pardon My French. Her other foal to race is Rite On The Money, a full brother to Quite A Show, who is now placed at Delaware Park.