Brundlefly, VO MIMBRE capture Grade 3

By ITCH

David Eddings would have been proud.

VO MIMBRE, apparently named for a fantasy series by that author, captured her first graded race Saturday for Brundlefly in Mexico with a scintillating run in the Shirley Smith Stakes. A 5yo daughter of Ghostzapper, Vo Mimbre now has run triple-digit speed figures in 12 of her 15 career races, a remarkable record of consistency.

In winning on Saturday, Vo Mimbre defeated the No. 5-ranked dirt sprinting mare, Ace’s DOCTOR DANZIG, who was game to hold second. Vo Mimbre broke fourth, shoulders outside of a three-way battle for second in the first quarter mile, and chasing a pace set by TENPIN TOUCH, w1ho eventually would fade far back. Just beyond the two-furlong marker, Vo Mimbre eased in front of the two nice mares to her inside, signaling that she was ready for a big run.

When those two moved back at her, Vo Mimbre took off and the real race was on. Well clear of her field and looking like a winner, the only question was whether Aly’s fine mare Doctor Danzig was going to make a run at her. By mid-stretch, it became apparent there would be no late rush, and Vo Mimbre was home-free to her first graded score. With only 15 races under her belt at this point, Brundlefly could be in for a big year with this mare. She was co-favorite with the No. 5 mare for the Shirley Smith, and did, in fact, defeat her.

As for the brilliant Doctor Danzig, her trainer was not too disappointed with the run. She came back to the barn a little groggy.

“It was her first race in eight weeks so she probably just needed a run,” Aly said. “I would guess that unless something else pops up in between, look for her in Florida in six weeks for the Grade 2 Davy Jones.”

Also, a mention here for the fast-closing third-place run by Seveii’s ROYAL BIRKDALE, who earned her first-ever on-the-board finish in a graded race. She had failed two tries previously but improved here, and was making ground late on the top two. She’s got a sharp kick, and it looks like if she times it right, could defeat a good field in her current form.