Plum Ali asserted herself back to the win column, snapping a seven-race losing streak with a knockout performance in the $150,000 Winter Memories Stakes Nov. 14 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
The Christophe Clement trainee, who returned to the winner’s circle for the primary time since profitable her first three races, displayed new techniques within the 1 1/16-mile interior turf check for sophomore fillies. She discovered herself on the entrance finish sustaining command all through, capturing a 3rd profession stakes win by three-quarters of a size beneath Manny Franco.
Franco hustled his filly out of put up 2 whereas anticipated pacesetter Gam’s Mission stumbled at the start and lost position. Plum Ali led the field into the first turn by a half-length through an opening quarter-mile in :23.77 over a turf course rated good.
Plum Ali remained relaxed up front through a half-mile in :49.72 while positions remained unchanged down the backstretch. Around the far turn, through three quarters in 1:15.28, Franco nudged his charge slightly and, with right-handed encouragement, the First Samurai filly widened her margin to two lengths at the stretch call.
Plum Ali continued to find more in the final furlong as White Frost and Miss Dracarys battled for second, completing the journey in a final time of 1:45.11. She returned $11.20 for a $2 win wager.
White Frost, who was making her first begin since capturing the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) in January at Gulfstream Park, garnered the place spot a nostril to the higher of Miss Dracarys.
Clement stated the plan was for Plum Ali to be within the prime flight of runners.
Plum Ali within the winner’s circle after the Winter Reminiscences Stakes
“The concept was to be forwardly-placed and she or he ran very effectively,” stated Clement. “(Franco) gave her an incredible trip. She’s been very unfortunate and the filly deserved this. The concept was to be 1-2-3 and, if doable, on the lead. If anyone took us on, then sit second or third. No person took them on and once I noticed the :49 and alter and 1:15, I knew she was going to be fairly powerful. She’s a really good horse.”
Franco stated he felt assured within the second half of the backstretch.
“After we broke like that, I wasn’t considering to take again. In the event that they needed to take the lead, they must go sooner than me,” Franco stated. “Within the second a part of the race, they let me decelerate the tempo and that was it. She dealt with it very well.
“She’s been actually unfortunate however as we speak she deserved this. I am actually glad for Christophe and the house owners.”
Plum Ali, owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Michael Caruso, enhanced her lifetime earnings to $676,000 by way of a file of 4-1-1 in 11 begins. She was a $65,000 buy by Cromwell Bloodstock from Stone Farm’s consignment to the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale
Bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm, Plum Ali is out of the Stroll mare Skipping, who has a yearling full sister to Plum Ali in addition to a Mastery colt born this year. Skipping was reported bred to Nyquist for 2022.
Video: Winter Memories S. (BT)
