Speedy Vanessa Latest Winner for American Pharoah
American Pharoah started the final week of 2019 on a high note Thursday when he added a 27th winner to his leading freshman sire record with Speedy Vanessa (2f American Pharoah x The Right Pew, by Pulpit) breaking her maiden at Tampa Bay Downs.
Making her third career start for trainer Graham Motion, Speedy Vanessa raced a few paths off the rail behind the leader over a mile on the dirt. Jockey Daniel Centeno moved his filly closer to the lead as the field entered the far turn and she quickly took over a clear lead as they raced into the stretch. Centeno did just enough to keep the filly’s attention in the stretch as she galloped under the wire 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the second place finisher.
Racing for breeder Alex G. Campbell Jr., the filly has finished in the top three in two of her three career starts. She is a half-sister to Grade I winner Karlovy Vary and Grade-II placed Rocket Legs with the trio among their winning dam’s eight winners.
The Right Pew is a half-sister to Grade II winner Great Intentions and Listed winner Sea Road and is out of stakes wining Packet. She hails from the family of U.S. Champion War Pass and Grade I winners Oath and Jack Milton.
The leading freshman sire, American Pharoah has sired 27 winners including Grade II Breeder’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Four Wheel Drive and Grade II Jessamine Stakes winner Sweet Melania. The first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, American Pharoah has sired 11 stakes horses including three Grade I-placed runners.