Dam San Antonio Stoll Currently Selling in Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale

BY BROCK SHERIDAN    

Florida-bred Damon’s Mound and Swirvin, two sons of Girvin, went at each other in the early stages of the $350,000 Robert Hilton Memorial at Charles Town Races Friday night but Damon’s Mound put away his rival in the far turn and drew off to a two-length victory in the seven-furlong test for 3-year-olds.

At the start, Swirvin and rider Trevor McCarthy sprinted to the front from post one but jockey Junior Alvarado put Damon’s Mound right to his outside as they sprinted together around the clubhouse turn and down the backstretch through a half mile in :45.91. Damon’s Mound accelerated away from his rival inside the final two furlongs then Prince of Jericho, Ghost Hero and 9-5 favorite Ryvit tried to make a run at the leader at the top of the stretch. But they could not get close to Damon’s Mound, who extended his lead in the run for home to win by daylight in 1:25.88 on the fast track.

Lord Miles made a made a big run from last to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Ghost Hero in third.

Damon’s Mound is trained by Michelle Lovell for owners Cliff and Michele Love of Friendswood, Texas. Cliff Love bred Damon’s Mound.

Damon’s Mound paid $8 to win.

The winner of the Grade 2 Saratoga Special in his second career start in August of last year, Damon’s Mound was winless in five added-money starts since. Just prior to the Robert Hilton, he was fourth in the $171,000 Maxfield won by Ryvit at Ellis Park over a sloppy seven furlongs on July 2.

Damon’s Mound has now won three of eight career starts with one second and the $201,600 payday increased his earnings to $379,700. Damon’s Mound was the first graded-stakes winner for Girvin and is the first foal out of San Antonio Stroll, by Stroll.

San Antonio Stroll is currently selling in the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale that runs through Tuesday.

“She is such a nice mare but I think she belongs in the hands of somebody who is willing to spend more money on the high dollar stallions. Ocala Stud is the consignor,” Cliff Love said. “She stands 16.3 hands is a AAA+ [match] to Gun Runner, Uncle Mo, Candy Ride and Twirling Candy. She needs to go to one of those big sires. I’m just not big on paying that big money.

“I’ll keep breeding in Florida. I love breeding in Florida and can’t say enough good things about Florida and Florida breeding. The only reason I’m selling her is she is worth a lot of money.

“I had to talk David O’Farrell into selling [San Antonio Stroll]. But I’ve been in the business for 40 years and I can’t say enough good things about Ocala Stud and David O’Farrell.”

Love bred and still has an unraced 2-year-old full-sister to Damon’s Mound, Moon Mist; a unnamed full-brother yearling and a weanling full-sister.

“We have the 2-year-old full sister and she hasn’t started yet but is very highly regarded by David O’Farrell and Michelle Lovell,” Love said. “She is special and we’re going to run her and all of these babies. I’m not a big professional breeder but I like to breed horses to run.”