Close Hatches - 2014 Personal Ensign S. (G1)
Racing with blinkers off, Love and Pride shadowed the early pacesetter for three-quarters of a mile, claimed the lead with five-sixteenths to travel, and held off odds-on Royal Delta late to register a 10-1 upset in the Grade 1.
Love and Pride, staked to a daylight lead in the stretch by John Velazquez, denied the late bid of 3-5 pick Royal Delta to earn her first grade I victory in the $600,000 Personal Ensign Stakes Aug. 26 at Saratoga Race Course.
Persistently, the daughter of Smoke Glacken out of Just Reward by Deputy Minister comes on late to break her maiden at Saratoga... Persistently is the grand daughter of the magnificent Ogden Phipps mare Heavenly Prize..
Persistently lived up to her name when she wore down reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 29 . In an ironic twist, the winning 20-1 shot is trained by Shug McGaughey
