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Indian Blessing aces undemanding Test

Indian Blessing added her name to an illustrious honor roll in the 83rd Test (Bill Roberts/Horsephotos.com) Hal and Patti Earnhardt's homebred champion INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie) added another piece of hardware to an already overflowing trophy case in demolishing five rivals in Saturday's $250,000 Test S. (G1) at Saratoga. The three-year-old miss pressed the early leaders from a three-wide position down the backside, assumed control turning for home, and drew off to a convincing seven-length score under John Velazquez. The Bob Baffert trainee covered the fast-track seven furlongs in 1:22 3/5 and returned $2.80, $2.30 and $2.10 as the overwhelming 2-5 favorite. Indian Blessing also keyed the $9.20 exacta and $54 trifecta (6-3-4). Palanka City (Carson City) and J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday) dueled for early advantage with Indian Blessing less than a length to their outside. Palanka City was up a head after an opening quarter in :22 3/5, then built up a half-length lead through a half-mile in :45 1/5. Those two had little left to repel Indian Blessing, however, as the favorite quickly took command and opened up on her hapless opposition. Sweet Hope (Lemon Drop Kid), the 5-1 second choice, rallied from fifth to finish a clear second, three lengths ahead of 20-1 chance Ms. Margaret H. (Point Given). Sweet Hope brought back $3.90 and $3.10 while Ms. Margaret H. returned $3.70. Palanka City finished fourth and was followed by J Z Warrior and Tequilas Dayjur (Dayjur).

"After that last race (her victory in the Prioress S. [G1]), we found a dimension where she can relax," Baffert said. "We were afraid to take her back and thought it would be disastrous. She's matured and learned how to relax."

"I would like to keep her on the dirt," Baffert added while not committing to a next start for his filly. "I'm going to wait and enjoy this right now."

Indian Blessing immediately stepped up from a 5 1/4-length maiden win last year to capture the Frizette S. (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) during her two-year-old championship season. She opened 2008 with victories in the Santa Ynez S. (G2) and Silverbulletday S. (G3), then suffered her first loss when second in the 8 1/2-furlong Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The dark bay lass received a three-month freshening and returned to fill the runner-up spot in the Acorn S. (G1) prior to winning the Prioress S. last time. Indian Blessing increased her career earnings to $1,997,200 from a line of 9-7-2-0.

The Kentucky-bred Indian Blessing is out of stakes winner and multiple Grade 3-placed Shameful (Flying Chevron), who has also produced a juvenile colt named Spaniard (Candy Ride [Arg]) as well as unnamed yearling and 2008 colts by Roman Ruler. She comes from the same family as Japanese Horse of the Year Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence), Grade 1 heroines Cat's Cradle (Flying Paster) and Roamin Rachel (Mining), and Grade 3 victress Another (Seattle Slew).

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