Sunday saw Comanche Country (2f Highland Reel – Honey Hunter, by Shamardal) record back-to-back black-type wins in the Grade 3 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita.
Narrowly denied on debut for John Kinsella in her native Ireland, the daughter of Highland Reel made a winning start for Phil D’Amato at Del Mar in July and followed up in a Listed contest last month. Sent off favourite on Sunday, the bay raced in midfield under Umberto Rispoli and was pushed along approaching the two furlong marker. Ridden soon after, she kept on well to lead inside the final furlong and was ridden out to score by half a length.
“This filly, she just continues to get better and better,” the winning trainer later said. “I think this will buy us a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.”
Comanche Country is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. Bred by the Honey Hunter Syndicate, she was sold by Castletown Stud at the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale.