More Stakes Success for Munnings Filly

A member of the powerful Wesley Ward stable, Kimari (2f Munnings x Cozze Up Lady, by Cozzene) added another Black Type win to her resume when scoring a tenacious victory in the $200,000 Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday.

A TDN Rising Star when winning on debut at Keeneland earlier this year by 15 lengths, Kimari was sent to Royal Ascot where she was narrowly beaten into second in the Group II Queen Mary Stakes before returning to the US for a stakes victory in August.

Ridden quietly this time and allowed to drift back to last, she hit the line hard to win the six furlong turf sprint by half a length and has now three of four starts earning over $240,000 in prizemoney.

The six-furlong Futurity is a ‘Win and You’re In’ event for the GII Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

“Julio Garcia has been breezing her from behind horses, knowing today that she’d probably break slow,” said Wesley Ward.

“Julio has been sitting back and coming around horses with her and kind of been teaching her to rate. I really didn’t think she was going to be that far back but thank God [jockey Mike Smith is] a cool sitter and a go-getter, and he rode a beautiful race. Everything came through today and we’re looking forward to Breeders’ Cup.”

A $152,000 Fasig Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale purchase, Kimari is the first winner for Grade III winner Cozze Up Lady.