BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who had Spirit Wind entered in both the Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs and the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint at Lone Star Park Monday, made the right choice in running the Florida-bred mare in Texas as she lived up to her 1-5 odds to win the six-furlong test.
Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Spirit Wind settled in third, two lengths behind Palacein, winner of the Wilma Mankiller at Will Rogers Downs in her last start as they went the first two furlongs in 21.77 on the fast track.
Smith sent Spirit at the leader around the far turn and took over at the top of the stretch. Spirit Wind drew off down the stretch to finish in 1:09.37, three-and-a-half lengths in front of Accomplished Girl in second. My Friend Amy was third with Reclusive, Adaline Julia, Non Violence, Palacein, Majestic Ways and Appropriate Funds completed the order of finish.
Spirit Wind paid $2.60 to win.
The 5-year-old mare earned $60,000 for owner C 2 Racing Stable LLC and increased her career money line to $388,690 from six wins in 10 starts with two seconds and a third. It was her fourth stakes victory after she ended her 2023 campaign winning the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl at Gulfstream Park on Dec. 23.
It was her third start this year after finishing third in Red Carpet Ready’s Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream on March 9 and sixth in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff won by Vahva at Churchill Downs on May 4.
Spirit Wind is by Double Diamond Farm stallion Bahamian Squall out of the stakes-placed Florida-bred mare Sacred Psalm, by Awesome of Course and she was bred in Florida by Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Sacred Psalm has produced eight winners from nine starters including Florida-bred stakes-placed runners Guardian Angel, by Jess’s Dream; and Silent Prayer, by Brooks ‘n Down. Sacred Psalm has an unraced 2-year-old colt, Lead Pipe, by Battalion Runner; and an unnamed yearling colt, by Vino Rosso. Both are Florida-breds.