American Pharoah's sister, Chasing Yesterday, wins on debut
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says Chasing Yesterday possesses the same kind temperament as her older half brother, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. On Saturday, the filly proved showed similar speed, too.
Out of the mare Littleprincessemma, Chasing Yesterday won easily on debut, taking Del Mar’s opener under a hand ride by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. Her final time for 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:04.44 after leaving the gate at 1/5.
Of course, even American Pharoah didn’t win his debut sprinting. Baffert still sent the eventual champion straight into Grade 1 competition next out, the start of an eight-race winning streak. It could be on to Del Mar’s Sept. 1 Debutante (G1), an especially exciting race that could feature other top 2-year-old fillies Brill and Mother Mother.
Chasing Saturday pulled even with her rival in the stretch and ran by with ease, needing only a mild shake of the rein by Smith.
Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Equine purchased Littleprincessemma for $2.1 million when American Pharoah was a 2-year-old. Chasing Yesterday, a Tapit filly already with big shoes to fill, is now creating her own high expectations on the racetrack.