Cardinal

Jay Lieberman's SABELLINA (Langfuhr) moved to the front turning for home and

just got the best of a stretch-long duel with Silca's Sister (GB) (Inchinor [GB]) en

route to a tally in the $171,750

Cardinal H. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Trained for the initial time by Charles Simon, the five-year-old mare was

prominent early, ranged up three-wide entering the far turn and showed

determination in taking her first open company stakes affair by a nose. The

final time for nine furlongs over the firm turf was 1:49 4/5, and the 9-1 shot

paid $20.60, $8.60 and $6.80 under Julien Leparoux.

Silca's Sister established the early lead and fought back gamely when headed

turning for home as she was making her two-turn debut. The three-year-old lass

was sent off at 9-2 and rewarded backers with $6.20 and $5.20 while completing

the $139 exacta. Royal Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) closed for the show

another 2 1/4 lengths back at 12-1, paying $7.80 while rounding out the $1,738.60 trifecta. Rich

in Spirit (Repriced), the lukewarm 7-2 choice, was never seriously

involved while another half-length back in fourth, sitting on the bottom of the

$5,158.40 superfecta (10-11-2-9). More Than Promised (More Than Ready) was next and

trailed by Dash of Humor (Distorted Humor), Stormina (Gulch), Black Java (Pine

Bluff), Amorama (Fr) (Sri Pekan), Beautiful Bets (Alphabet Soup) and Carolina

Sky (Sky Classic). Dynamist (Dynaformer) was withdrawn.

Sabellina upped her career mark to 32-7-5-4, with earnings of $515,190. The

mare owns stakes wins in the Mount Vernon H. and Yaddo H., with five other

black type placings to her credit.

The winner was bred in the Empire State by John Valentino, and is the third

registered foal produced from the multiple Grade 3-winning and Grade 1-placed Restored Hope (He's Bad). Sabellina counts an unnamed two-year-old colt by Regal Classic and an unnamed

weanling filly by Strong Hope as half-siblings.