BY BROCK SHERIDAN

After being upset as the odds-on favorite by the high-powered Senza Parole in her debut at Saratoga on Aug. 23, Florida-bred Stunner bounced back impressively to win a six-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies Thursday during the Belmont at Big A meet.

Ridden to victory by Flavien Prat, the Brad Cox-trained Stunner led by a length ahead of Hay Evabody in second through a quick quarter mile in :21.98 and began to pull away after a half mile in :44.86. She was more than five lengths clear in deep stretch before winning by six-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:16.15 on the fast track. Hay Evabody finished second, five lengths clear of Jenkin in third. Bottomless Mimosa, Wind Flower and Found Grace completed the order of finish. Route Sensation was scratched.

Stunner paid $2.70 to win.

A bay filly, Stunner earned $49,500 for owners LNJ Foxwoods and Church Street Stables, increasing her bankroll to $69,500 from two starts. She was a $190,000 purchase by bloodstock agents Alex Solis II and Jason Litt at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale where she was consigned by Airdrie Stud. 

Stunner is by Girvin out of Spun Beauty, by Hard Spun and was bred in Florida by the late Brereton C. Jones. Stunner is the first winner in two starters for Spun Beauty, who also has an unnamed yearling colt and a weanling colt, both Florida-breds by Ocala Stud’s leading first crop sire Win Win Win. Spun Beauty was bred to Win Win Win again in 2024.

Return to the September 26 issue of Wire to Wire