Undefeated Temper Mint Patty’s towering victory in the $150,000 Joseph F. Gimma S. topped a huge day Sunday at Belmont Park for Congrats, who also had first-time starter Jacaranda take her career bow in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight contest.
With 10 winners and four stakes horses to date this year, Congrats is squarely planted in the top 10 in the 2014 2-year-old Sire List.
Temper Mint Patty, a game maiden special weight winner Aug. 29 at Saratoga, had a much easier time of it in the seven furlong Gimma. Tucked in nicely along the rail just a couple lengths off the lead, the dark bay filly got a slight nudge from Irad Ortiz Jr. midway on the turn, and quickly went to the lead, never looking back in the stretch as she thoroughly dominated her disheartened competition.
She covered the distance on a muddy track in 1:23.78.
With the win, Temper Mint Patty upped her lifetime earnings to $133,800 for owner Mark Stanley, who acquired her for $95,000 out of this year’s Fasig-Tipton Florida 2-year-olds in Training sale this March.
Jacaranda debuts in impressive fashion
Jacaranda, a half-sister to Florida Derby (G1) winner Constitution, zipped to a five-length win in a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight contest in 1:18.14 about 90 minutes after Temper Mint Patty’s win.
The Congrats filly is the second foal out of Baffled, whose siblings include Grade 1 Forego S. winner Emcee and stakes winner Spring Party. Jacaranda was bred by Vinery and sold for $250,000 to owner Barry Schwartz at the Keeneland September Yearling sale.
