A TESTING run four wide on the pace wasn’t enough to prevent Big Brown filly Maracuya from making a winning debut at Gulfstream Park in Florida during the week.
Posted at 8-1 on the morning line, Maracuya was hammered into 2-1 favoritism for this her debut race.
Away alertly from post eight, the chestnut chased four wide through an opening quarter in :22.24 and gained a narrow advantage while parked on the outside on the turn for home. With John Velazquez aboard, she began to edge clear in deep stretch, and stayed on to cruise home by a length.
The Louisville-trained three-year-old showed class and courage in equal measure to take out the $52,500 six furlong maiden by a length in a time of 1:08.12s.
Maracuya is a half sister to graded stake winner and G1 placed Payton d’Oro so she has the talent and the pedigree. It’s safe to say this filly turned some heads.
Maracuya is the 23rd winner sired by Big Brown whose honour roll is cats far and wide from the the USA, Canada, Europe and two in Japan on dirt and turf.
Big Brown is to be represented by 7 lots at the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale at Newmarket in Sydney due to start on April 9.
