Vinery shuttler Big Brown sired his third first crop stakes winner in New York on Thursday.
Talented filly Shades Of Sugar extended her record to three wins in four starts following a Listed victory in the Niagara Stakes (1200m) at Finger Lakes.
Shades Of Sugar (3f Big Brown – Sugar Punch by K. O. Punch) had won on debut by 8 lengths at Santa Anita in April and then crossed to the east coast by score another 8 length runaway at Finger Lakes in May.
She lost that unbeaten record when runner-up in wet conditions on June 13 but was back in the winner’s circle on Independence Day. Sent straight to the front by jockey Gabriel Suarez, Shades of Sugar reeled off quick fractions to win by more than 5 lengths.
The daughter of Big Brown is owned by Skyline Stables and gave trainer Jonathan Buckley his third win in the 32nd edition of Niagara Stakes. She is the third foal of Sugar Punch who won stakes races at Belmont (2) and Saratoga.
Big Brown’s international reputation received a huge boost when his colt Darwin won first-up in Ireland last week. Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien indicated a stakes race at the Curragh, Leopardstown or Goodwood is next on his agenda.
Big Brown (USA) won the Kentucky Derby – Preakness Stakes double in 2008 and his first northern crop continues to build with 35 individual winners of 54 races at a 59% strike-rate.
Vinery will stand Big Brown for a $22,000 (inc gst) fee this year.
