Despite the scratch of Spendthrift Farm’s Tamara from the $300,000 La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita, trainer Richard Mandella visited the winner’s circle following the seven-furlong event with Spendthrift’s Kopion.
Making her first start in more than eight months, Kopion pressed the early pace three-deep. With jockey Kazushi Kimura aboard, Kopion moved on even terms with Sandy Bottom and seized control approaching the quarter pole. She drew away through the lane to score by 2 ¾ lengths at the finish in the race for 3-year-old fillies. The daughter of Omaha Beach covered the distance in 1:22.08.
Kopion a Grade 1 Winner by Omaha Beach
“We are high as a kite right now,” said Eric Gustavson, owner and president of Spendthrift Farm. “We had a bunch of friends and family come in for the race. It was such a crazy day because we had Tamara, and she scratched. We got the text from Richard this morning, so we were all down. Now this. This is racing. It is great. This is such a big deal. A Grade 1 winner on dirt for Omaha Beach. All glory to God, we are over the moon.”
Mandella said of his charge, who was bred in Kentucky by Tall Oaks Farm, “She has been getting better and better. I told Kaz (Kimura) that she is quick, and you don’t need to rush her.”
Kopion won her debut last November at Del Mar and then captured the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2). With the Grade 1 win on her resume, Kopion is now a three-time winner from five starts with earnings of $314,600. She is produced from the Victory Gallop mare Galloping Ami.