Congrats filly goes gate to wire in Saratoga’s $200,000 Caress S.

Mominou collected her first stakes victory on July 21 at Saratoga with a front-running score in the $200,000 Caress S. 

Mominou’s win capped a terrific week for Congrats that saw the WinStar stallion eight individual winners, giving him an even 100 for the year, making him one of only five stallions in North America to reach that milestone in 2019, outpacing such standouts as Uncle Mo, Tapit and Curlin.

Third in Monmouth Park’s Politely S. last time out, Mominou was sent straight to the lead in the 5 1/2-furlong contest. She maintained at least a one-length lead while carving out solid fractions, winning by 1 1/4-lengths in 1:01.54 to earn a lifetime-best Beyer Speed Figure of 95. 

“[Trainer] Jimmy [Toner] gave me the option of how I want to ride her and I figured the best way we could win was to take the race to them out of the gate,” said winning jockey Kendrick Carmouche. “We broke good and she never relented. She was ready the whole way.” 

Owned by Sean Shay, Mominou is now 4-2-1 in 12 starts and has earned $271,997. She was a $150,000 purchase out of the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-old sale.

Mominou was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds. She is a full sister to stakes-placed Phaniebdancing.