Kimari (saddle cloth no 4)
The continued success of Kimari has shone a light on the China Horse Club’s USA breeding division ahead of major yearling sales across the United States. Kimari raced away with the G2 Honorable Miss Handicap at Saratoga overnight and may now be set on a programme towards the USD1,000,000 G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (1400m).
The Wesley Ward trained mare is one of a series of quality graduates to have emerged from the Club’s USA breeding division in an abbreviated period. Headlining the list of notables are G1 winning mares Valiance and the above-mentioned Kimari. But that list is expected to deepen considering on the strength of this year’s graduates.
Among the 2022 yearling offerings will be a half-brother to Kimari who is one of seven yearlings set to sell during Book One at Keeneland’s September Yearling Sale and one of 17 listed for the entire sale. Fellow luminaries include half-brothers to the above mentioned G1 winner Valiance, Classic Empire (G1), March to the Arch (2), a close relation to champion Able Tasman, a full-sister to last year’s USD1.25 million Into Mischief x Embellish The Lace filly and an imposing son of G1 winner Yellow Agate.
Fasig Tipton’s Saratoga Sale will also be graced by an exceptional Uncle Mo x Cara Marie filly (Lot 149). The filly, consigned by Taylor Made Farms, is a full-sister to the gifted Girl Daddy who, in only three starts, won the G3 Pocahontas Stakes and finished third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
On Kimari and targets in the second half of the season, Ward was emphatic.
“Our ultimate goal would be the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland because it’s my home track and her home track. So, we’ll work backwards from there,” the trainer said post-race.
“I was pretty confident going into today. Not that I am not confident going into all my races. It just worked out great and it’s always great to stand in the winner’s circle for a graded race at Saratoga. There’s nothing like it.”
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