Sunny Skies is the first stakes winner for Animal Kingdom

It may have been rainy and dark, but Sunny Skies prevailed with a big effort to win the Debutante Stakes by 1 3/4-lengths this evening at Churchill Downs. In so doing, the good looking daughter of Animal Kingdom became the first stakes winner for the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner and freshman sire.  

After nearly an hour delay caused by a strong and fast moving storm, the race favorite was ready to roll. Breaking smoothly from the rail under Robby Albarado, the chestnut filly moved right up to contest the lead with longshot Rockin Royalty through a testing first quarter in :21.48. From there, the 13-10 choice always looked like the filly to beat.

Sunny Skies hit the stretch in charge, and was easily able to keep her closest pursuers at bay. Upset Brewing edged Waki Patriot for second, while Rockin Royalty, who tried the winner early, faded to last in the 12-filly field. Final time for the six furlongs over the sloppy and sealed track was 1:11.83

“With breaking from the inside I knew I had to get her in position early,' said Albarado. "We got to the lead and I was able to save some energy around the turn. She’s a very nice filly and I think has a bright future ahead of her. I’m so thankful for guys like Kenny (McPeek) that have supported me after I came back from injury and I’m so happy to get it done tonight.”

The victory for Sunny Skies completed a juvenile sweep for Albarado and trainer Kenny McPeek. Two races earlier, and before the rains came, the pair scored with an equally decisive win by Ten City in the Bashford Manor Stakes. 

The homebred filly for Normandy Farms raised her record to a perfect two-for-two, having dominated her maiden competition by nine lengths in her career debut at Keeneland in late April.

Sent to the post as the 13-10 favorite, Sunny Skies returned $4.60, $3.40, and $2.80 across the board. The exacta over Upset Brewing was good $61.60, while the $2 triple, of 1-3-13, paid $448.20

“A lot of credit goes to our staff at Keeneland,” said McPeek of his newest stakes winner. “This filly has been a bit of a handful to train. She doesn’t like the stalls that are at Keeneland, so we were shipping her back and forth to my training center [Magdalena Racing], but would bring her back to the track to breeze. She’s coming around very well. We’ll probably keep her here this summer and point towards the Pocahontas in September. I think you’ll see her and Ten City as workmates this summer.”