My Miss Aurelia made her 2012 debut a winning one Aug. 8, overpowering four other 3-year-old fillies to take the $100,000 Mandys Gold Stakes at Saratoga Race Course (VIDEO). The 2-year-old champion filly of 2011 is unbeaten in five starts for Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton.
After stumbling at the start and spotting the frontrunning Srumdiddlyumptious several lengths at the beginning of the 6 1/2-furlong sprint, My Miss Aurelia, the 1-4 favorite, made a powerful move off the turn after a quarter in :22.40 and a half in :45.71.
"She was running so comfortably," said jockey Julien Leparoux. "I was very confident."
My Miss Aurelia got the victory for trainer Steve Asmussen despite being spun wide into the center of the track and lugging in down the lane, drawing clear to win by three lengths.
The final time was 1:15.90 for the filly's first start and first win since the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) in November at Churchill Downs. A minor shin injury kept her from racing earlier in the season; she returned to training in May.
"It's amazing how special she truly is," Asmussen said. "The memories of her running last year were great. When she came back into the barn and we started training her and breezing her...you're hoping to have horses who are who she is. What a joy she is to be around."
My Miss Aurelia returned $2.50, $2.10, and $2.10 while Delightful Quality brought $3 and $2.40, and Well Kept paid $3. Srumdiddlyumptious and Xunlei completed the order of finish. Ageless and Ullapool scratched.
Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, now managed by the late Jess Jackson's wife, Barbara Banke, My Miss Aurelia is by Smart Strike–My Miss Storm Cat, by Sea of Secrets.
"Her works this year have been amazing," Asmussen continued. "I think she'll have a huge year...we'll see how she comes back and speak to George and Barbara and see where we go."
Among the upcoming options for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga is the $500,000 Test Stakes (gr. I), run at seven furlongs Aug. 25.
"We always like racing at Saratoga, so it would be a nice thing to do if we can get her back here," said Banke. "It might be a little quick, but possibly."