Sweet Saga proved extra special for her sire, Oregon stallion Slew's Saga. The 2-year-old filly became the first winner for her first-crop sire when she captured the Barbara Shinpoch Stakes at Emerald Downs Aug. 28.
In the $45,000 Barbara Shinpoch at a mile, Sweet Saga lagged in fifth place, eight lengths off the pace, as even-money favorite Exclusive Diva alternated for the lead with Talk to My Lawyer through fractions of :24.33 and :48.40. Sweet Saga rallied outside on the second turn, angled out farther into the stretch, and wore down Talk to My Lawyer in the final strides to win by a half-length in 1:36.97 for owner Riverbend Stable. Sweet Saga had run third in her other two starts including the Northwest Stallion Knights Choice Stakes at Emerald in her debut.
Bred in Washington by Gerald and Gail Schneider, Sweet Saga is the first foal out of the winning Cahill Road mare Cielo Dulce, whose dam is stakes winner Cielo Otono.
Slew’s Saga, by 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, raced as a homebred for Mickey and Karen Taylor, who campaigned Seattle Slew with Dr. Jim Hill and his wife, Sally. Trained by Robert Tiller, Slew’s Saga won the 2004 Cup and Saucer Stakes on turf at Woodbine his 2-year-old season.
Slew’s Saga, out of the Southern Halo mare Belle Breesing, stands at Oakhurst Thoroughbreds near Newberg, Ore. His 2011 fee was $1,000.
