Sandiva Up to the Challenge in Suwanee River

Al Shaqab Racing’s Sandiva made another stride forward in establishing herself as a major force in the fillies and mares turf division Saturday at Gulfstream Park, where she captured the $150,000 Suwannee River (G3) with a thoroughly professional performance.

The Irish-bred 4-year-old filly, who registered her first U.S. victory in the Tropical Park Oaks at Gulfstream in her last start, was the recipient of a perfect trip under leading rider Javier Castellano, who recorded his 3995th career victory aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained import.

Sent to post as the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11, Sandiva was reserved a few lengths behind pacesetter Skylander Girl while clear on the outside around the first turn and along the backstretch. Leaving the backstretch, Castellano asked the daughter of Footstepsinthesand for some run, and she responded to circle the tiring pacesetters and take the lead into the stretch. Rosalind, a Grade 1 stakes winner ridden by Joel Rosario, tracked the favorite throughout the race and put in a strong bid in the stretch, only to fall short of victory by a length.

“It pretty much unfolded the way we thought it would. We just wanted to save a little ground on the first turn and try to put her in the clear on the far turn and let her take it from there,” Pletcher said. “We got the trip we wanted and the she came home with a sustained run.”

Sandiva, a multiple Group 3 winner in Europe, ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.31 to record her first graded-stakes victory in the U.S in the 72nd running of the Suwannee River.

“I had a beautiful trip. My concern was that I had to save some ground from the outside post. You want to get covered up so you can save some ground. It worked out perfect today. I covered up three, four lengths behind the other horses, I kept track of the speed. I covered her up the best I could around the first turn, and around the last turn I lost a lot of ground but my concern was on the first turn. It worked out beautiful, perfect,” Castellano said. “She gave me a great kick turning for home. She's a very straight-forward horse.”

Rosalind, making her first start for trainer Chad Brown, finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Scampering and jockey Luis Saez.

Source: Gulfstream Park Communications