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Home / News / Awesome Feather is Back!

Awesome Feather is Back!

Awesome Feather
Photo: NYRA, Adam Coglianese
Awesome Feather is back, and anyone else with designs on winning the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic best beware. Yes, I know this afternoon’s Nasty Storm Stakes was not exactly filled with world beaters, but that really matters little to me. Ten for ten, and already a champion, I wanted to see one thing from the daughter of Awesome of Course, and that was what kind of Awesome Feather she now is. 

I already knew that she is a fantastic horse, but today's return really could have gone one of three ways. Either she would have lost a step or two after a few minor injuries and her second long layoff, or she would have been the same old Feather who has yet to be beaten, or, and most exciting of all, she would come back an even stronger more mature version of the filly that had already done so much. After today’s gigantic and effortless performance, an 11 ¼ length runaway, I believe that the she is every bit of what she has always been, and maybe even more.

Like a woman running against little girls, the diminutive Chad Brown trainee broke on top from the outside but was more than content to settle in as Daddy’s Honor and All Due Respect rushed up to the lead and set strong early fractions of 22.63 for the quarter, and a half in 44.96. When the older rider that has ever ridden her on race day.  Jeffrey Sanchez, gave her the word, the champ turned it on, and she was gone, all the way to the wire. Hand ridden out, Awesome Feather blazed the one mile in 1:33.47. Oh yes, make no mistake, Awesome Feather is back.
 


With the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic just six weeks away, trainer, Chad Brown and the Stronach Stables must be feeling awfully good about her readiness for the big day. As strong as the Ladies’ Classic may look, I’m not sure It’s Tricky or Royal Delta or anyone else wants any part of the undefeated filly we saw today at Belmont; she is that good. Having said that, here’s the brand new Ladies’ Classic Top 10:

1. Awesome Feather
 
2. It’s Tricky
 
3. Royal Delta
 
4. Include Me Out
 
5. Questing
 
6. My Miss Aurelia
 
7. Amani
 
8. Love and Pride
 
9. Love Theway Youare
 
10.    Dixie Strike 
             

 

Royal Delta  |  Questing  |  My Miss Aurelia  |  Love Theway Youare  |  Love and Pride  |  It's Tricky  |  Include Me Out  |  Dixie Strike  |  Daddy's Honor  |  Awesome Feather  |  Amani  |  All Due Respect

What the Nation is saying about Awesome Feather is Back! ...

Awesome Feather is such a mega-talented filly. I say forget the Ladies Classic and let her go after the boys in the Classic.
Great race today by Awesome Feather! Still giving Love and Pride a good shot in the Ladies Classic, just a little nervous she has had only one work since her Personal Ensign victory. If she makes the Beldame and wins, watch out...
Awesome Feather experienced than My Miss Aurelia and I think she has more chances to win in the BC Ladies Classic
Maybe we will have a dead heat. Likely? No. But you never know.
Bad thoughts Matt. I always hate seeing two undefeated champs go head-to-head because I hate to see one of them lose. Maybe it's the sentiments and the hormones talking...
If My Miss Aurelia wins at Parx we could have two undefeated champions in the Ladies Classic. How cool would that be?
My top 4 are all older, but three in the Cotillion crack the top 10 ... all eyes now turn to Parx!
Very impressive return to the races for Awesome Feather. We're still six weeks away and many things can still happen, but, on paper, the Ladies' Classic is shaping up to be an "all-timer". Not only was the time outstanding (although it was a quick track today), but the fact that Jeffrey Sanchez never asked her for anything is remarkable off an 11 month layoff. He knew what he was sitting on - a rocket. I know he gets some credit and praise nationally, but Chad Brown may be one of the top 3-5 trainers in the country. He may not get the publicity that the Baffert's and Pletcher's receive, but the man can handle horses brilliantly.
Early Beyer is a 108.
OOPPSS! I meant "it WASNT who she was running against..."
Brian's right - it was WHO she was running against, it was the speed of the race: Not only did Feather have enough to keep up the whole way, but had MORE than enugh to draw away to double digits in the end..and the rider never even touched her! Getting a little worried for Big Mama D!
That was a very good showing for the 2010 Juvenile Filly champ, but the was lightening fast. She only went a half second quicker than an allowance race later on the card. It'll be interesting what kind of speed figures she'll get.
Freakish performance..so glad to have her back!
Fantastic return!
I have to admit that I shared some of her connections concerns during the very early stages of the race, but once I saw the fractions go up, I knew Feather and Sanchez were being smart and that her racing position had nothing to do with whether or not she was eager to go. Brilliant performance by a brilliant filly!
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