Klaravich Stables’ Kentucky-bred Surge Capacity benefited from a rail-skimming ride from Joel Rosario to narrowly prevail in the Matriarch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar on Sunday, Dec. 3. Surge Capacity led a Chad Brown sweep of the top four placings in the turf affair.
In winning the first Grade 1 race of her career, Surge Capacity covered the mile on turf in 1:33.95, the fastest time in a mile grass race of the meeting. Surge Capacity is a 3-year-old daughter of Flintshire (GB). The win, her first against older mares, increased her bankroll to $518,975.
“She’s a fighter, you know, she likes to run,” noted winning rider Joel Rosario. “She likes the competition. I kind of had no choice but to stay inside (in the stretch). I was just trying to save the ground and then go from there. I was very lucky, with her kick. She is a very nice horse.”
Jose Hernandez, assistant trainer for Chad Brown, said of the winner, “She always does that (sits in behind horses). The same thing in Keeneland. She got in trouble and then when she gets in the clear, she just takes off. It’s just her. I’ve never seen that before. Fillies get intimidated a little bit but when she gets in the clear, she takes off again.”
Bred in the Bluegrass by her owner, Surge Capacity is produced from the stakes-winning Warrior’s Reward mare Strong Incentive.