Liatris, the first starter for freshman sire Warrior's Reward , drew off in the stretch for a 3 3/4-length victory in her career debut May 30 at Pimlico Race Course (VIDEO).
Grade I winner Warrior's Reward stands for $12,500 at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington. The 8-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro boasts 104 foals in his first crop of 2-year-olds.
In completing the five-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds in :59.30, filly Liatris defeated males. Charles Hall and Jann Anderson campaign Liatris, who was bred in Kentucky by John Gunther. Anderson also trains the filly.
Liatris is out of the A.P. Indy mare Miss Brickyard, dam of group II winner Moviesta and stakes winner Goodtimehadbyall.
It didn't take long for Warrior's Reward to get his second winner, either. About an hour later at Churchill Downs, his 2-year-old filly Unbridled Reward romped by 7 3/4 lengths in her debut in a $44,000 Maiden Special Weight (VIDEO).
Unbridled Reward was a $330,000 purchase earlier this year at the OBS March sale, marking the highest priced 2-year-old sold at public auction for her sire. Bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm, the bay filly hails from the Unbridled mare Unbridled Appeal.
Like Liatris, she was bred through Spendthrift’s Share The Upside Program.
With the impressive debut win, Unbridled Reward earned $26,400 for owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse, who signed the ticket for the filly at OBS. Alan Garcia rode Unbridled Reward to victory in the 4 1/2-furlong test.
Warrior's Reward captured the biggest win of his racing career in the Carter Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He retired to Spendthrift in 2011 with earnings of $488,216.