Roanan Goddess rolls to first stakes victory in Saturday’s Xtra Heat at Laurel Park. Maryland Jockey Club Photo.
Mens Grille Racing’s Roanan Goddess improved off her first two tries in stakes company to start her sophomore campaign with a victory in Saturday’s $99,000 Xtra Heat Stakes at Laurel Park.
Sixth in the Smart Halo in November and fourth in the Gin Talking in December – both at Laurel – Roanan Goddess overcame some jostling and tight quarters late in Saturday’s Xtra Heat to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Reconcile. Jeiron Barbosa rode the winner, a 3-year-old daughter of former New York-based sire Leofric, for trainer Hamilton Smith.
Sent off as the 2-1 third choice in the field of five, Roanan Goddess rated third behind the early speed Reconcile and C C Royal through the opening quarter-mile in :22.86 over the muddy and sealed track. Reconcile continued to lead by a length over C C Royal around the far turn and to the half in :46.74, with Roanan Goddess just behind while still on the inside.
Roanan Goddess challenged for the lead near the 3/16ths pole and jostled a bit with Reconcile making her bid. She took over from there and drew off inside the final sixteenth to win going away. Reconcile held second, 2 lengths ahead of C C Royal with 7-5 favorite Heart fourth. The final time was 1:11.82.
Bred by Chad Carter, foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson and out of the winning Midnight Lute mare Night Madam, Roanan Goddess sold for $30,000 to C & C Stables at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Eastern fall yearling sale. She later sold to Mens Grille Racing for $60,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale.
Roanan Goddess is the second foal out of Night Madam, who is also the dam of the eight-time winning New York-bred Alpha mare Madam Alpha. Night Madam is also the dam of a West Virginia-bred 2-year-old full brother to Roanan Goddess named Snowy Night.
Roanan Goddess has raced exclusively in the Mid-Atlantic region, starting her career with a sixth in a turf sprint maiden at Laurel before a victory in a similar 5 ½-furlong maiden race in early September at Colonial Downs. Switched to the dirt after that victory, Roanan Goddess finished second and first in allowance-optional races at Laurel to earn those tries in stakes company to end her juvenile campaign.
The Xtra Heat was worth $60,000 to Roanan Goddess’ connections and the filly improved to 3-1-0 in seven starts with $147,240.
