BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Trainer Cherie DeVaux will introduce Florida-bred Acquazurra Thursday at Churchill Downs when the 2-year-old daughter of Girvin takes on 11 other juvenile fillies in a $120,000 maiden special weight set for six furlongs.
A $300,000 purchase by Belladonna Racing at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Acquazurra is out of Cara Sorella, by Brother Derek and is a full sister to Florida-bred stakes-winner Swirvin, winner of the $106,000 Jersey Shore at Monmouth Park in 2023.
Cara Sorella also has a yearling filly from the first crop by Ocala Stud’s Roadster. She is scheduled to sell Tuesday, Sept. 16 as Hip 2724 in this year’s Keeneland September Sale out of the Airdrie Stud Raised and Offered consignment. Acquazurra has a 3-year-old Florida-bred full brother, Grand Magic, who is trained by Ken McPeek for John Oxley and was third in a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight on Feb. 15 in his only start. He was a $475,000 purchase by Coal Country Equine at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Acquazurra enters with several solid morning works including a bullet four furlongs in :47.60 at Ellis Park on Sept. 12, the best of 25 moves that morning. She also worked five furlongs in 1:01 flat at Ellis on Aug. 26, the fastest of four that morning at the distance. Her most recent work is a four-furlong move in :49.40 at Ellis on Sept. 2, a breeze that ranked 20th of 39.
Now owned by Belladona Racing LLC, Twin Brook Stables, Woodford Racing LLC and B.C.W.T. Ltd., Acquazurra was bred in Florida by the late Brereton C. Jones.
She will be ridden by Axel Concepcion from post 10 and is 10-1 on the morning line.
The 7-2 program favorite is Glam Slam, who was second to On Time Girl in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Ellis on Aug. 3 in her only start.
Trained by John Servis for Main Line Racing Stable, Avalon Racing Stables and Carguys Racing LLC, Glam Slam is by McKinzie out of She Rocks the Look, by Trapped Shot. Glam Slam is a half-sister to Laurent, a second-place finisher to Tamara in the $303,500 FanDuel Racing Del Mar Debutante (G1) in 2023.
An earner of $19,244 in her one start, Glam Slam will be ridden from post six by Irad Ortiz Jr.
Others entered include Lil Tipsy with jockey Adam Beschizza, Joke Maker has Luan Machado named to ride, A Fine Chardonnay will be guided by Brian Herandez Jr., Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard Solemn Vow, Legit Chick has Jaime Torres taking the call, Julien Leparoux will be up on Dancewhenyoucan, Sugar Doll has rider Cristian Torres, Jose Ortiz has the assignment on Measure and Mario Gutierrez will take the reins on Lady Revenge. Of All Things, Bonne Sante, Baracca and Midnight Flight are on the also-eligible list.
Return to the Sept. 9 issue of Wire to Wire
