Flying mare Aquinnah captured her first black-type victory for Yarradale Stud sire City Place (USA) at Gulfstream Park on Sunday.
The Sunset Stakes (1000m) on turf was her 12th win in 36 starts for earnings of $286,530.
Aquinnah stalked the pace before going four wide to take the lead and post a three-quarter length victory in 55.60s. “The owner is having some fun with her,” trainer Jane Cibelli said. “He likes hard-knocking horses and she might be all right.”
Bred by Anthony Lenci in South Florida, she is raced by Patriot Stable and is from Oglala Sue, a stakes winning daughter of Vice Regent sire Verzy.
City Place three year-old Hombre Natural also won over 1000m when racing returned to Woodbine after a winter break on Sunday. He was hustled to the front and moved three lengths clear at the top of the straight to hold sway by a head at the wire.
Hombre Natural is trained by Armando De La Cerda for owner Sal Hernadez – the same team behind City Place mare La Tia who won the G1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar in November.
Their colt clocked 57.60s in an allowance event after arriving from New Orleans earlier this month. His dam Natural Glow (Siphon) has also foaled UK-Ireland winner Black N Brew (Milwaukee Brew).
City Place (Storm Cat) built up an astounding 82% winning strike-rate in North America before transferring to Yarradale Stud last year.
