Bubble Rock made the jump from maiden winner to graded stakes winner in Saturday’s $150,000 Matron S. (G3), taking the six-furlong turf event by a half-length over Gal in a Rush.
The 2-year-old filly is More Than Ready’s sixth stakes winner, four of them graded winners, this year.
Bubble Rock, who scored a decisive 3 ¼-length maiden win Sept. 3 on the Saratoga lawn, was part of an early scramble for the lead, but soon backed off to settle in fourth. The dark bay moved up while three-wide around the turn, positioning her perfectly at the top of the stretch. She eventually surged past Mystic Eyes in the final sixteenth, then held off Gal in a Rush for the win.
The final time for the six furlongs on the firm turf was a rapid 1:08.01.
“She's nice. Last time she won and finished well, too,” said winning rider Irad Ortiz. “I just did the same thing today. I waited for my time to go and when I asked her, she finished up really strong again. She's got a really good size to her and she always finishes well, so I think she'll be alright.”
The winner is owned and bred by Shortleaf Stable. She is now 2-1-0 in three starts and has earned $157,500.
Pedigree Notes from the TDN
Bubble Rock is the 96th graded winner and 211th black-type scorer for the timeless More Than Ready. Bubble Rock's second dam GSW Dixie City is also responsible for Korean champion sprinter Blue Chipper (Tiznow). This is also the family of MGSW & GISP young sire Unified.