Speightstown’s brilliant 3-year-old filly Calistoga turned in another stellar performance Thursday at Gulfstream Park, rolling to a 4 3/4-length victory at 6 1/2-furlongs. The Bill Mott trainee was tabbed a TDN Rising Star following her 5 1/2-length win in her debut on Jan. 12.
Calistoga’s race on Thursday was very similar to her first start. She set the early pace then drew off in the stretch for an easy win, getting the distance in 1:16.54. She has now won $51,300 in her two outings.
“Second time, sometimes you don’t know what to expect. I thought she’d run well. She had a nice clean trip and ran well,” Mott said. “Now, it’s time to step up a little bit. I don’t like to get too aggressive the second start. You like to give them a couple races for experience and then it’s time to go.”
Calistoga was bred by Jerry and Ann Moss and is out of Styler, a half-sister to Moss’ 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo as well as Tiago, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Goodwood S. (G1). Owned by Don Dizney, Calistoga was a $180,000 purchase at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
Mott said he’d look at the seven-furlong, $150,000 Eight Belles S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 3 for Calistoga’s next start, while the seven-furlong, $500,000 Test (G1) at Saratoga this summer is a long-range goal.
