Applauding, the fastest 2-year-old filly stabled at Fair Grounds
until proven otherwise, showed Friday she can run as well on dirt as on
Polytrack. Her next hurdle will be distance, with Applauding scheduled
to stretch out after two six-furlong races to begin her career in the 1
1/16-mile Silverbulletday Stakes on Jan. 21.
Applauding set a six-furlong synthetic-surface track record when she
won her career debut by nine lengths Oct. 14 at Keeneland, and she was
equally dominant in Friday’s sixth race, making an early lead from the
rail, racing her opening half-mile in less than 45 seconds, and going on
to a six-length victory under Shane Sellers while ridden out to the
wire. Applauding’s Beyer Speed Figure of 91 neatly lined up with the 92
she earned in her debut.
“Shane said she reminds him of the really good horses he used to ride,” said Al Stall, who trains Applauding for Ramona Bass.
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