Crashing Connie takes Niagara Stakes for fourth 2018 Finger Lakes win

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SV Photography

By Sarah Mace

In a 6-furlong dash that developed into a thrilling match race, Joseph Gentile’s homebred Crashing Connie got the bob at the wire to win the $50,000 Niagara Stakes for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies. At three, the bay daughter of Questroyal Stud’s Courageous Cat[2] has taken Finger Lakes by storm, winning all four of her 2018 starts.

Morgan’s Z Va got a jump on the 8-horse field and led the way through an opening quarter in 22.61 while Crashing Connie chased in second, grabbing the rail spot from post three.

In the approach to the far turn Crashing Connie advanced and overtook the pacesetter. Early on the bend, New Girl in Town, a Finger Lakes-based filly riding her own two-race winning streak, ranged up three-wide from fourth to grab second. This pair hooked up while straightening away for the stretch drive as the half ticked by in 46.50.

The two new leaders went at it hammer and tongs, Crashing Connie at the rail and New Girl in Town two-wide, as they charged for home, opening six lengths on the rest of the field.

Crashing Connie appeared to have a slight edge as they battled in the final furlong, but at the wire the two heads were bobbing up and down on nearly even terms, leaving the winner to be decided by an examination of the photo. In the end, Crashing Connie won the thrilling duel by a nose in a final time of 1:12.64 over the “sloppy (sealed)” racetrack.

Post-time favorite Indy’s Lady finished four lengths back in third, followed by narrow second choice I Still Miss You in fourth. Completing the order of finish were My Last Million, Always Kissable, Morgan’s Z Va and Twice Proven. [VIDEO REPLAY[3]]

Trained by James Wright, Crashing Connie raced twice at two, finished second in her second try on November 17 going 5 1/2 furlongs. The filly returned to the races on April 23 ready to roll, winning a 4 1/2-length state-bred maiden special weight by two lengths. She followed up with a pair of allowance victories at five furlongs, then six, winning by four lengths on May 14 and 3 1/4 lengths on June 9 before wheeling right back nine days later for the Niagara.

Crashing Connie, who has earned $77,410 from four wins and a second in 6 starts, is out of Crashing Through, a New York-bred winner of 12 races in 40 starts and earner of nearly $100,000 who went on to compile an an impressive record as a broodmare.

Crashing Through produced eight winners from eight foals to start, three of whom (all by New York sires) earned six figures: Flowersonyourback by Key Contender, Crashing Colby by Catienus and Caleb’s a Survivor by Stonesider. Crashing Connie is her first foal to earn back type. The mare has one more reported foal, a juvenile colt by Stonesider named Excavator.

Crashing Connie’s sire, Grade 1 winner and millionaire Courageous Cat[4], entered stud at Lane’s End in 2012 before relocating in 2013 to Questroyal North[5] where he stands for a 2018 stud fee of $6,000. He has sired four black type winners to date.

 

Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6-18-18-R7-Crashing-Connie-Action.jpg
  2. Courageous Cat: https://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/nytb/stallion/127350/courageous-cat
  3. VIDEO REPLAY: http://www.nytbreeders.org/includes/video-player.cfm?date=20180618&track=FIM&race=7
  4. Courageous Cat: http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/nytb/stallion/127350/courageous-cat
  5. Questroyal North: http://www.questroyalnorth.com/

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/06/18/crashing-connie-niagara/