Maotai Kicks 2022 Off With a Win for Cupid

Cupid recorded winner number 24 on Saturday when Maotai (3f Cupid x Chelsea Road, by Sepeightstown) won a Turfway Park Maiden Special Weight.

Making her third career start, Maotai raced in midpack just under three lengths behind a dueling pair leading the way. Maotai kept those who had bet on her in suspense as she started rolling down the stretch with plenty of ground still to make up.

Maotai got up in time to win by three quarters of a length for owner Selective LLC and trainer Brad Cox.

It was the third start for Maotai, who finished second by a neck last out. Maotai has always been highly regarded as a $190,000 Keeneland September Yearling when purchased by her racing owner from Buckland Sales.

She was bred by Millennium Farms from Cupid’s first crop and is out of the winning Chelsea Road, who also produced stakes-placed and Grade II fourth Go Big Blue Nation. Maotai’s third dam is stakes winner Turko’s Turn, who produced Horse of the Year Point Given and three other stakes performers.

That mare’s daughters have also produced stakes performers, including multiple graded stakes winner Street Story, stakes winner Hy Riverside, and Chelsea Road’s stakes-placed half-brother Aces High.

Cupid proved to be a top value sire in 2021 when finishing in the top five among freshman sires in multiple categories.