Pangburn was a smashing success when resuming for her season-opener at Oaklawn Park on Friday.
The lightly-raced Congrats filly is being set for the G1 Kentucky Oaks in May and she powered home to defeat Sweet Opportunity (Distorted Humor) and Bootsy’s Girl (Summer Bird). The first-up victory was achieved against the odds after she blew the start in a 1700m allowance event.
“She turned her head in the gate and was last away,” trainer Kenny McPeek said. “She was still last with three furlongs remaining and six-wide turning for home.
“I’ve always said she’s as good, if not better, than Rosalind,” McPeek added. “She’s pretty special.”
McPeek prepared Rosalind to win last year’s G1 Ashland Stakes after a third-place finish in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Pangburn had won on debut at Ellis Park in July and, in her only other outing, was runner-up to Cristina’s Journey in the G2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs in September. They beat home Take Charge Brandi who was subsequently named Champion USA 2YO Filly for 2014.
McPeek trains the filly for Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony who operates Shortleaf Stable. She will use the G3 Honeybee Stakes on March 7 and G3 Fantasy Stakes on April 4 as her final preps for the G1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 1.
Pangburn (3f Congrats – It’s True Love by Yes It’s True) sold for $130,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale. Her dam was a Listed winner of the Melody Stakes at Delaware and is related to G1 Preakness Stakes winner Tank’s Prospect.
Vinery shuttler Congrats has a well-bred filly from Lady Hepburn (Lot 302) catalogued for the Melbourne Premier Sale next Monday, March 2. Her dam is a More Than Ready mare who scored on debut at Cranbourne in a career limited to three starts for owner-breeder Greg Perry and trainer Mick Price.
The family is bursting with black-type. Second-dam Lady Diva is one of 11 winners from G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lady Jakeo – the others include G3 Hollywood Park winner Red Arrow, G3 Hong Kong winner Able Choice and the dam of G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis.
