Kentucky-bred Candied remained undefeated after recording a determined victory in the Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 6. The win earned the daughter of Candy Ride (ARG) a berth in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
Racing in mid-pack in the eight-horse field early, Candied roared into the stretch four-wide with a full head of steam. She grabbed the lead in the stretch and outdueled race favorite V V’s Dream to the wire to prevail by one length at the finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Buck Pond Farm and owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Candied is trained by Todd Pletcher and was ridden to victory by Luis Saez. Candied provided Pletcher with his first victory in the prestigious race. By Candy Ride, Candied is out of the Roaring Fever mare Toni Tools. The $358,050 winner’s share of the purse increased her bankroll to $415,800. Candied was a $165,000 graduate of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale, where she was consigned by her breeder.
“I thought the filly had the talent to do it; I was just concerned about the seasoning,” said Pletcher. “Several of the fillies in here that we had to beat today had good, solid campaigns and she was just making her second start. But I’ll tell you, she trained impressively before her debut, and she then just kept getting better afterwards. She was finishing her works, and galloping out like she wanted more ground.”
Winning rider Luis Saez was also impressed with his mount’s performance, saying, “She’s a filly who keeps learning. She has a big future. The first time I got on her in the morning, I knew she was pretty special, and she just won this big race.”
The Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on Saturday, Oct. 7, went to Kentucky-bred Locked. Also owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners along with Walmac Farm, Locked raced toward the back of the pack early in the 1 1/16-mile affair. He closed resolutely in the lane to score by a half-length from The Wine Steward.
Bred in Kentucky by Rosa Colasanti, Locked is conditioned by Pletcher. The son of Gun Runner is produced from the Malibu Moon mare Luna Rosa. Now a winner in two of three lifetime starts, Locked has banked $428,400. Locked is a $425,000 graduate of the Keeneland September Sale where he was acquired by his owners out of the Eaton Sales consignment.