Emma’s Encore (Congrats – French Opera, by Wild Again) has produced another big finish to score her first Grade 1 victory in Saturday’s Prioress Stakes (6f) at Saratoga.
The bay shocked most when she won the Group 2 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont at 39-1 last month before arriving late from a terrible position to get up narrowly over Judy The Beauty (Ghostzapper – Holy Blitz, by Holy Bull).
The early speed blitz from Agave Kiss (Lion Heart – Salty Romance, by Salt Lake) left Emma’s Encore at the tail of the field while the leader carved out impressive sectionals, including a solid 44.6 second for the first half-mile of the $US300,000 event.
Agave Kiss started to tire early in the stretch with her early exertions leaving the filly as a sitting shot for Judy The Beauty while Emma’s Encore wound into her work. Emma’s Encore hit her top at the furlong pole, storming home over the top of the runner-up to join Turbulent Descent (Congrats – Roger’s Sure, by Forestry) as a Grade 1 winner for Vinery Stud shuttler Congrats (AP Indy – Praise, by Mr Prospector).