stellify Ascends to Filly & Mare Turf Contender with Dominant Kentucky Downs Double
FRANKLIN, KY – September 7, 2024 – stellify, a four-year-old filly trained by Brad Cox, has rapidly emerged as a force in the filly and mare turf division following a pair of impressive victories at Kentucky Downs. The daughter of Justify secured wins in both an allowance race on August 28 and the $2 million Light and Wonder Ladies Marathon on September 6, showcasing her speed and stamina on the track’s unique European-style course.
Stellify entered the kentucky Downs meet off back-to-back wins at Churchill Downs, having raced just six times in her career. She made a statement on opening day, leading at every stage to win the mile-and-a-half allowance race by two lengths. this performance prompted Cox to enter her in the lucrative Ladies Marathon just eight days later - a fast turnaround uncommon in modern racing.
“We had a fresh horse coming into the meet and she won her allowance race fairly easily so we felt like she was ready to go again,” Cox explained. “She broke with intent and that’s what we wanted to see. When she gets into an early rhythm she can carry her speed for a distance.”
In the mile-and-five-sixteenths Marathon, Stellify again took command immediately, setting comfortable fractions of 26.1 seconds for the quarter mile and 49.57 for the half mile while leading the eleven-horse field. She extended her lead turning for home and ultimately crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of the competition.
The Kentucky Downs double has boosted Stellify’s career record to four wins in six starts, with a second and a third-place finish. Her earnings now total $1,442,604.
“She passed her first graded stakes test with flying colors,” Cox said. “She is a nice filly and we are leaving options open right now. I certainly think there is more left and we are excited about her future.”
With the Breeders’ Cup approaching on November 1 at del Mar,a track known for favoring speed,stellify appears poised to continue her ascent as a major contender in the filly and mare turf division.
