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Where's Sterling makes presence felt in Iselin
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| Where's Sterling pulled out
his first stakes win in his graded debut
(David Owens/Equi-Photo) |
Frank C. Calbrese's WHERE'S STERLING (Northern Afleet) rallied to the lead in
deep stretch and edged clear to a one-length victory in Saturday's $252,500
Philip H.
Iselin S. (G3) at Monmouth Park. The promising four-year-old colt notched
his first stakes win in the process, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 2/5 on the
fast track with jockey Pasco Lopez, and the Nick Canani trainee paid $8.20 to
win as the 3-1 second choice among eight rivals.
Where's Sterling was making his first start since a fourth in his stakes
debut, the May 30 Memorial H. at Calder. The bay Kentucky-bred broke his maiden
in January and also captured an entry-level allowance at Gulfstream Park. With
Saturday's $150,000 payday, he's now earned $224,110 from an 8-3-3-0 line.
Ponzi Scheme (Sunday Break [Jpn]) showed speed at the start, leading by a
length after an opening quarter-mile in :23 3/5, and Where's Sterling was
forwardly-placed in a tight group tracking the pace, racing within a couple of
lengths of the front runner as the field made its way down the backstretch. The
pace was moderate -- half-mile in :47 3/5 and three-quarters in 1:11 2/5 -- and
Southern Ridge (Southern Image) moved forward from second to collar Ponzi Scheme
leaving the far turn, but Where's Sterling was also advancing three wide into
the stretch.
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Southern Ridge passed the mile mark with a half-length advantage in 1:35 4/5,
but Where's Sterling had momentum on the outside and wore down the game
runner-up late. It was a 6 1/2-length margin back to Ponzi Scheme in
third at the finish line. Cactus Charlie (Not for Love) came next in fourth and
was followed by Alma d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), 9-5 favorite Pleasant Prince (Indy
King), Dueling Alex (Medaglia d'Oro) and Chirac (Sligo Bay [Ire]).
"I was expecting the early pace to be a little faster," Canani said, "but
Paco (jockey Lopez) rode the horse perfectly. He always seemed like a horse that
wants to go a mile and eighth, or maybe even longer."
Bred by Cynthia Knight, Where's Sterling initially sold sold for $13,000 as a
2008 Keeneland September yearling before being purchased for $50,000 at the 2009
OBS April sale. He's out of the Benny the Dip mare Twinkler, who is also the dam
of a yearling filly by J Be K and a 2011 filly by Orientate. The 11-year-old
mare is a half-sister to multiple champion steeplechaser Flat Top (Alleged) and
multiple Irish Group 3 queen Asema (Theatrical [Ire]). This is the female family
of multiple Grade 1 winner and successful broodmare Sabin (Lyphard).
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