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Grassy strikes first for Claiborne, Dilschneider Neither a soft pace nor a soft turf seemed to bother Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm's appropriately-named homebred GRASSY (El Prado [Ire]), who gave his owners the first of two major victories on Saturday ahead of stable star Blame's (Arch) thrilling victory over Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]) in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The venue was Aqueduct and the race was the $150,000 Red Smith H. (G2), the final graded event for older males on turf during the New York season. The gray powered home late under Joe Bravo to notch his first career stakes win by a length in a time of 2:20 for 1 3/8 miles. A decent fourth in his stakes debut in last year's Jamaica H. (G1), Grassy had fared poorly in his next two added-money attempts in the Dixie S. (G2) and Sword Dancer Invitational (G1). However, the Christophe Clement charge entered the Red Smith off a solid third to Breeders' Cup participants Winchester (Theatrical [Ire]) and Paddy O'Prado (El Prado [Ire]) in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) most recently, and was made the 6-5 favorite. Grassy paid $4.70, $3.10 and $2.20 after finishing clear of 17-1 chance Rescue Squad (Dynaformer), who gave back $10.60 and $6.50. Bold Hawk (Silver Hawk) was third and returned $4.60 at 8-1. Whatsthecript (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]) was fourth and was followed by Simmard (Dixieland Band), Strike a Deal (Smart Strike) and Jeune-Turc (Brz) (Know Heights [Ire]). Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) and Center Divider (Giant's Causeway) were scratched. The exacta paid $48.40, the trifecta $264.50, and the 6-5-9-7 superfecta was worth $1,061. The Kentucky-bred Grassy was produced by High Savannah (GB) (Rousillon), who is also the dam of Group 2 winner Lady in Waiting (Kylian), Group 3-placed Desert Destiny (Desert Prince [Ire]) and the multiple stakes-placed Greenery (Galileo [Ire]). High Savannah is also responsible for the unraced juvenile colt Parcel (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) and a weanling colt by War Front. This female family has also yielded Grade 1 winner Stroll (Pulpit) and Group 2 winners Lovelace (GB) (Royal Applause [GB]) and Gairloch (Roan Rocket).
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