Restless Rider put on an incredible show in Saturday’s $100,000 Debutante S. at Churchill Downs, drawing off to a record 11 1/4-length victory in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies (WATCH RACE).
The winning margin was the largest in the 118-year history of the race and was the first stakes win for the Ken McPeek trainee, who broke her maiden in her debut June 8, also at Churchill.
For Distorted Humor, Restless Rider is his second stakes winner in as many days and gives him a total of nine this year. His runners have banked more than $3.5 million to date in 2018.
Restless Rider overcame a horrible trip to score her commanding victory. Sitting in second just behind pacesetter Payntermaniac, Restless Rider had to check extremely hard when Payntermaniac suddenly pulled up with a half-mile to run.
Restless Rider lost a half-dozen lengths going into the turn, but gathered herself quickly under Brian Hernandez, Jr. and was made a five-wide move to be head-to-head for the lead with a quarter-mile to run.
With a full head of steam, the dark gray filly poured it on in the stretch in an astounding performance, with a final time of 1:10.62 on a fast track.
“That was super impressive,” Hernandez said. “(Payntermaniac) got into trouble and forced us to change our position. You don’t really see young horses like this recover as she did. She switched leads nicely in the stretch and was powerful. It really leaves you speechless.”
The victory was worth $60,760 which increased the 2-year-old filly’s earnings to $91,360 for co-owners Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm.
“You don’t see horses get completely stopped and come back to win by (11 ¼ lengths), let alone young horses,” said McPeek’s assistant trainer Greg Geier. “She is super impressive. We were confident with her training coming into the race and thought she’d run a big effort.”
Restless Rider was bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings and is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Silky Serenade, who is a half-sister to multiple graded 2-year-old winner Private Vow.
