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Never Retreat continues sparkling form in Jenny Wiley
Never Retreat broke alertly for Shaun Bridgmohan and led in the initial strides, but was happy to concede the pacesetting role. Kiss Mine (Mineshaft) was the first to volunteer, covering the opening quarter in :24 2/5, until C. S. Silk (Medaglia d'Oro) asserted herself entering the backstretch. As C. S. Silk reached the half in :49 stalked by Kiss Mine, Never Retreat was a few lengths away in third. The field began to bunch up on the far turn, and Never Retreat was preparing to join the leaders through six furlongs in 1:14 1/5. Fantasia (GB) (Sadler's Wells) was likewise gaining, and a rousing stretch run appeared to be in the offing. Never Retreat quashed that notion in a few strides, pulling away by 1 3/4 lengths in a convincing display. "I had a great trip," Bridgmohan summed up. "Chris (Block) gave me a free hand to let her run out of there, so I was able to establish good position with her. Get her off the rail, he said. All the credit to Mr. Block. "She kicked to the front and got to waiting around a little bit, so I had to stay busy on her. She's a nice filly." Fantasia held second by a length from the belatedly-closing 2-1 favorite Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune). Considering that Fantasia had not raced since October 30, when just outdueling Never Retreat in the River Memories S. at Woodbine, it was a fine effort. "For her first race back, we're very pleased," trainer Jonathan Sheppard said. "(Jockey) Rosie (Napravnik) said she just couldn't quite pick up and quicken, accelerate on the softer ground, but she stayed on well. She didn't quit running and she tried hard. They kind of ran almost evenly through the stretch. I think the winner was just a couple of lengths in front of us turning for home and that's where we were at the wire." Forest Uproar (Forest Wildcat) checked in fourth, followed by Grade 1 queen Eclair de Lune (Ger) (Marchand de Sable), newly-crowned Canadian champion turf female Miss Keller (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]), multiple Group/Grade 1 heroine Gypsy's Warning (SAf) (Mogok), Kiss Mine, C. S. Silk and Valli with a Vow (Broken Vow). Aviate (GB) (Dansili [GB]), Ice Mist (Forest Danger), Satans Quick Chick (Sky Mesa) and Spring Party (Smart Strike) were all scratched. The ultra-consistent Never Retreat sports a 25-8-6-6 mark to go along with $616,481 in earnings. Runner-up in the 2008 Mother Goose S. (G1), the dark bay also captured the Rare Blend S. and placed in the Susan's Girl S. and Quick Mischief S. during that sophomore season. Never Retreat raced only three times in 2009, placing in both the Blushing K.D. H. and Virginia H. Tarra Illinois Owners S.Her 2010 campaign got off to an unfortunate start when she crossed the wire first in the Furl Sail H., only to be demoted to second for causing interference. Never Retreat then lost on the head-bob in the Marie G. Krantz Memorial H., and concluded her stint at Fair Grounds with a third in the Bayou H. She was in tip-top form in the latter part of the year, landing the Lady Canterbury S. and Kentucky Cup Ladies Turf S. and missing by a nose to Fantasia in the River Memories. Reappearing with a third to Justaroundmidnight in the January 9 Marshua's River, Never Retreat took runner-up honors behind Cherokee Queen in the February 5 Suwannee River. Bred by Gerry O'Meara and Stanley Inman in Kentucky, Never Retreat was sold for $410,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling. The six-year-old is out of the Canadian stakes-placed Lisieux (Steady Growth), and her half-siblings include Laoub (Red Ransom), the dam of Australian stakes winner Moulin Lady (Reset), as well as an unnamed juvenile filly by English Channel and a yearling filly by Bob and John. Lisieux is herself a half-sister to multiple Grade 2 heroine Sweetest Chant (Mr. Leader), the dam of Grade 2 queen Danzig's Beauty (Danzig), who in turn produced multiple Grade 2 star and top sire Distorted Humor (Forty Niner). This is also the family of Grade 3 scorer Liam's Dream (Saint Liam), Grade 2 winner Cassaleria (Pretense) and Canadian Grade 2 victor Seaside Retreat (King Cugat).
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