Pavitra Newest Graded Stakes Winner for Pharoah

American Pharoah’s Grade I runner-up Pavitra (3f American Pharoah x Gypsy Robin, by Daaher) earned another chance at the Grade I level in Australia after a victory in the Grade III Kembla Grange Classic on Friday.

Forced to race wide early on in the one-mile turf race, Chad Schofield was happy to keep her in that position while pressing the leader. He didn’t ask for her to go all out until there was only 1 ½ furlongs left and when he did, she was happy to sprint away. In the end, she beat So You Think’s So Dazzling by four lengths with Pierro’s Pierossa securing third for a Coolmore-sired trifecta.

“That was very impressive. Obviously, we have bigger fish to fry in the Vinery and Oaks, but she put the writing on the wall in Melbourne, and she is a beautiful staying filly,” Schofield said. “She has been a filly that over-travelled in her races, but today she spat the bit out. She got into lovely rhythm and kept extending up the straight. It was a lovely feeling.”

Bred and raced by Kia Ora Stud, the Richard and Will Freedman trainee has won three starts with five other top three finishes from 10 races for nearly A$435,000 in earnings.

Next up for Pavitra is a return to the top level with the Grade I Vinery Stud Stakes on March 25 her next scheduled appearance.

Pavitra is a half-brother to Group I winning sprinter Wild Ruler and is the second stakes winner among three winners from U.S. Grade II winner Gypsy Robin.

Triple Crown winner and top sire American Pharoah has 32 worldwide stakes winners and 64 stakes performers, led by six Grade I winners on dirt and turf.