Rags to Riches, the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), was voted champion 3-year-old filly of 2007. She finished ahead of two other Todd Pletcher trainees--Octave and Panty Raid--in Eclipse Award voting.
On June 9, Rags to Riches, with only five starts on her resume, got up after what seemed like an endless stretch run to defeat Curlin by a head in the Belmont. The electrifying nature of her Belmont victory against males made her Thoroughbred racing’s darling of the year.
The daughter of A.P. Indyout of the Deputy Minister mare Better Than Honour was purchased by owners Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith for $1.9 million at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2005.
Last year, Rags to Riches won three other grade I stakes: the Las Virgenes Stakes and Santa Anita Oaks at Santa Anita Park, and the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. She also finished second, beaten only a half-length, in the Gazelle Stakes at Belmont Park.
Rags to Riches, now 4, is in training with Pletcher at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida in preparation for a spring 2008 return.