27-1 shot Angel Terrace outduels Cato in first Valley View division

27-1 shot Angel Terrace outduels Cato in first Valley View

division

Just when Zapper Belle began to edge away from the weakening Volcat in the

lane, Angel Terrace and Miss Cato both erupted from far back. Angel Terrace

sliced her way through the midst of the field, while Miss Cato took the overland

route on the outside, and the two surged past Zapper Belle.

Miss Cato briefly appeared to have the better momentum in deep stretch, but

Angel Terrace dug in and repelled her in a photo-finish. The daughter of

Ghostzapper posted a final time of 1:44 3/5 for 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf.

"I had a perfect trip," said Graham, who is now two-for-two aboard Angel

Terrace after also piloting her to her May 15 maiden win. "He (Sheppard) said

just don't get in any big hurry. It was just like the way I rode her at Presque

Isle Downs and it worked out, and it worked out again today."

Angel Terrace improved her scorecard to 7-3-1-0, $146,770. Unplaced in both

starts at two, the chestnut kicked off 2012 with a 5 1/2-length maiden win

against Pennsylvania-breds over the Tapeta at Presque Isle. Angel Terrace was a

late-closing second in another state-bred test, then cleared her second-level

allowance condition versus open company at the same venue. She reverted to turf

for the first time since her juvenile days in the Nani Rose at the Spa, where

she made up nearly three lengths inside the final furlong for a sneakily-good

fourth.

Bred in the Keystone State, Angel Terrace is a half-sister to French Group 3

winner Asperity as well as to the Swedish stakes-placed Sehoy. They are all out

of the winning Gone West mare Another Storm, who is herself a half-sister to

Grade 2 San Fernando runner-up Balladry, a possible Breeders' Cup Marathon

contender. Also in the immediate family are current Japanese Grade 2 vixen

Midsummer Fair and Singapore stakes scorer Better Life.

Angel Terrace's second dam is Storm Song, the champion two-year-old filly of

1996. This is the female line of Grade 3-winning sire High Cotton, ill-fated

Grade 2 victress Diamond Omi and Group 3 queen Cassis.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com