Starspangledbanner Filly Captures Grade 2 At Keeneland

Saturday saw Irish import Papilio (3f Starspangledbanner - Glafyra, by High Chaparral) gain her first black-type win in the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Twice a winner and Listed-placed as a juvenile for Fozzy Stack, the daughter of Starspangledbanner went close on her first start for Mark Casse last month, when narrowly denied in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream Park. Ridden by Javier Castellano on Saturday, she was delivered late in the straight and produced a smart turn of foot to lead close home, winning the $400,000 contest by a neck.

“Boy, she could be something,” Mark Casse said after the race "She has a lot to prove but she's pretty good. She has an amazing turn of foot.” The winning trainer added that the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs next month is a likely target for Papilio.

Bred by Scea Marmion and Mr A Jathiere, Papilio is now owned by DJ Stable LLC and Medallion Racing. The daughter of Starspangledbanner is out of Glafyra, who has a two-year-old filly by Ten Sovereigns.