Phipps win puts Clairiere among 'best mares in the country'

Stonestreet Stables homebred Clairiere, whom owner Barbara Banke named for a fine varietal produced by one of the vineyards in her Kendall Jackson portfolio of wineries, is getting better as she’s getting older and will be pointed to the nine-furlong Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on the August 27 Travers Day card.

The 4-year-old Clairiere was victorious in Saturday’s Ogden Phipps (G1) by a head over reigning champion 3-year-old filly Malathaat after a dramatic stretch battle that put on full display the heart, soul, and courage of both. With the win, Clairiere earned her spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff through the “win and you’re in” Challenge Series.

Asmussen said that the daughter of Hall of Famer and 2007-08 Horse of the Year Curlin, whom he trained and was campaigned by Banke and her late husband Jess Jackson, is a filly very much on the rise.

“I think she’s even better this year,” the Hall of Fame trainer said of the 2021 Cotillion (G1) winner. “She was a wonderful filly last year but as a 4-year-old she’s even faster now than she was then.”

Clairiere is the first foal produced by multiple Grade 1 winner and $2 million earner Cavorting. Like mother, like daughter. As a 4-year-old, Stonestreet’s Cavorting won the 2016 Ogden Phipps, and she also won the Personal Ensign that season after winning the Test (G1) at age 3.

In addition to triumphing over champion Malathaat on Saturday, Clairiere defeated the reigning champion older filly and mare Letruska, 2021 Acorn (G1) winner Search Results and the multiple graded-stakes-winning Bonny South.

“To beat the competition that she beat yesterday puts her as one of the best mares in the country,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who reported that Clairiere came back from her race in top shape and was doing well on Sunday morning.

With her win Clairiere has bankrolled $1,799,592 and has a record of 5-4-2 from 13 outings.