NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
Michael Dubb’s Celestial Sighting, a 2-year-old chestnut daughter of Eskendereya, recovered from a slow break and closed with determination to win her career debut at Saratoga on Monday, a maiden special weight for New York-bred juvenile fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs over the inner turf course.
Exiting post one under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. as the 5-2 second choice in the field of 10, Celestial Sighting endured some bumping after the bell, then settled in sixth, spotting the leader as many nine lengths, while Rescue Cat led the field through a scorching first quarter-mile in 21.42.
Making up some ground and negotiating the turn in the two-path, the filly accelerated to advance into third. Swinging out five-wide at the head of the stretch, she then began a determined drive, picking off all but the new leader, 3-2 favorite Somerset Sandy.
Celestial Sighting hooked up with Somerset Sandy the in the final seventy yards, gained the lead and crossed the wire a one-length winner under a vigorous hand ride. After a quarter-mile in 44.90, she stopped the clock in a solid final time of 1:03.32. Somerset Sandy finished second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Miss Kew in third. [VIDEO]
Rudy Rodriguez, who trains Celestial Sighting for Dubb, said he was expecting a strong performance from his charge. “We brought this filly over here ready to run,” said Rodriguez. “The way she was training I was very confident that she could get the job done. I know Saratoga is very tough, but she didn’t show any different than what we see [in the morning].”
Rodriguez continued, “She broke a little slow, but they went pretty fast in front so that was good to see her close. Maybe she’s going to appreciate a little bit more distance.” There are no immediate plans for the filly’s next start.
Bred by Taylor Brothers Properties, LLC in partnership with Bayshore Stables and foaled at Stone Bridge Farm in Gansevoort, Celestial Sighting is the first foal out of Afternoon Stroll, who won the Grade 3 Appalachian Stakes on turf at Keeneland and earned over $200,000. Changing hands once at public auction, the filly was purchased by Beechwood Brunker for $75,000 at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.
