Merneith a Runaway Winner For American Pharoah

Merneith (3f American Pharoah x Flattermewithroses, by Flatter) put on an impressive performance to close out the Oaklawn Park card on Sunday when breaking her maiden by 10 1/4 lengths.

Going off as a strong favorite in the six furlong race, Merneith broke from the widest barrier and was quickly angled in to race just behind the leader for Martin Garcia. The filly galloped comfortably until the turn where she headed the leader and quickly the race to bed in only a matter of strides.

The Bob Baffert trainee was home free from there, leaving the rest of the field behind to cross the line 10 ¼ lengths in front for HRH Prince Sultan Bin Mishal Al Saud with Munnings’ Good Shabbos in third.

Bred by China Horse Club, Merneith was sold for $350,000 as a weanling to Gary Contessa from Hunter Valley Farm at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She nearly doubled her price a year and a half later when bringing $600,000 at the OBS March 2-Year-Old Sale from Narvick International when purchased from De Meric Sales last year.

The second winner and runner from Listed winner Flattermewithroses after Uncle Mo’s More Roses, the filly is also a half-sister to a yearling filly by Classic Empire who sold for $185,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Last year’s Champion Freshman sire, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has 37 winners including 6 stakes winners and 15 stakes horses led by Grade II winners Four Wheel Drive and Sweet Melania.