Congrats 2yo filly Temper Mint Patty made astonishing improvement to annihilate a Belmont Stakes event by 13 lengths on Sunday prior to another 2yo Jacaranda winning by 5 lengths on debut a few races later.
Trainer Dale Romans had sent her out for a maiden win on debut at Saratoga on August 30 and he had no qualms stepping her straight up to Listed company in the $150,000 Joseph Gimma Stakes (1400m) and connections have the option of starting her again in the New York Breeders’ Futurity on October 4.
Temper Mint Patty (2f Congrats – His Beauty by Adcat) stalked the pace and then made a decisive move along the rails to open up by as much as she liked. The time of 1.23.78s was nearly a second faster than top colt Saratoga Heater clocked in the LR Bertram Bongard Stakes.
“I had some horse and I took a chance to zip up the fence,” winning jockey Irad Ortiz said. “When I asked, she went right through. I think she can go further, too. She’s all right.”
Temper Mint Patty is by Vinery shuttler Congrats and was purchased for $95,000 by Mark Stanley at the Fasig-Tipton 2YO Florida Sale in March. “I like Congrats a lot – I think he’s very underrated,” Stanley said. “She’s a pretty filly, so we felt like she was worth the money. She’s been a lot of fun so far.
“I thought she showed talent at Saratoga and matured before this one in just three weeks. Hopefully, before the first Friday in May next year, she will be even better for the Kentucky Oaks.”
Temper Mint Patty is from His Beauty, a Listed winner of the Jena Jena Stakes at Belmont.
Congrats completed a juvenile double on Sunday’s Belmont card when Jacaranda won a 1300m maiden on debut by 5 lengths!
Jacaranda (2f Congrats – Baffled by Distorted Humor) settled last in a field dominated by newcomers and fought her rider (Irad Ortiz’s brother Jose) in the early stages. Once given more rein, she went about her work professionally before pulling clear in the straight.
The Vinery bred filly was a $250,000 buy for owner Barry Schwartz at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. She is a half-sister to G1 Florida Derby winner Constitution (Tapit).
There have been 11 juvenile winners by Congrats in North America this year and they are members of his first crop bred in Kentucky. There are 3 other Stakes horses already in this 2yo crop including Tulira’s Star, Flying Frank and the Breeders’ Cup bound Pangburn.
Congrats (A P Indy) has a groundswell of first-crop youngsters gearing up for the new two year-old season in Australia. Vinery stands him for a $22,000 (inc gst) service fee.
