Peace Blossom Holds Off Thnxmsslew To Capture G1 Sky Beauty

Let the rivalry begin! Peace Blossom evened the score to 1-1 in this weekend’s G1 Sky Beauty AHndicap, holding off Thnxmsslew by a head to earn the winner’s share of the $500,000 purse. The bright chestnut daughter of Speightstown took the lead right out of the gate, and set an easy pace throughout, leaving plenty in reserve to hold off the challenge of the reigning #1 dirt sprint filly in the stretch. Darkfall‘s young star pushed her record to four wins and one second in five starts and moved herself up to the #2 ranking in the dirt sprint division. She is averaging just over $100,000 in winnings per race.

Thnxmsslew rallied well, but not with her usual strong kick. Owner/trainer polandfarm believes there is a simple explanation for the unusual performance, “Congrats to Peach Blossom…although I guarantee Thanksmslew WILLNOT be on jockey select again…sheesh…slowest start ever in a race that she couldn’t do that..oh well,may not have made a difference but no more JS for her!!!” With the second place finish, Thnxmsslew improved to well over $900K in earnings, and retained her #1 dirt sprint ranking. Alas, post-race reports indicate that she may have exited the race with an injury and will be unable to compete in next month’s Equinics. Assuming the reports are true, this writer would like to wish her a speedy recovery.

Longshot Powered By Azroc, making only her third career start, ran in second throughout the race before being passed by Thnxmsslew near the finish. The daughter of Pulpit finished 1/4 length behind the top two. Seekers Keepers and Crabby Patties rounded out the top five. Crabby Patties dropped one spot in the dirt sprint rankings to #3 in the division. The race was timed at 1:10 4/5 and the winning speed figure was an 87.