HorseRacing
Underdog Filly Stuns the Field in Pebbles Stakes Upset
2024-11-08
In a thrilling display of grit and determination, the longshot filly No Mo Candy defied the odds to clinch a stunning victory in the Grade 3, $175,000 Pebbles Stakes at Aqueduct. Trained by the in-form Saffie Joseph Jr., the Uncle Mo bay filly overcame her 18-1 starting price to earn her first graded stakes triumph in just her fourth career outing.
A Surprise Triumph Fuels Trainer's Hot Streak
No Mo Candy's victory comes on the heels of another surprise win for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who saw his charge Soul of an Angel pull off a last-to-first shocker in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar. This latest triumph continues the trainer's impressive run of form, showcasing his ability to extract the best from his horses, even when the odds seem stacked against them.A Tactical Ride Pays Dividends
Piloted by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, No Mo Candy broke sharply from the gate, settling into second position as the pacesetter Macanga set the early fractions. Velazquez, who had previously ridden Macanga, knew the filly's tendency to run off, and he wisely opted to stalk the leader rather than engage in a premature battle.As the field rounded the far turn, the favored Chad Brown-trained Oversubscribed made a move to challenge the leaders, but No Mo Candy remained steadfast, collaring the stubborn Macanga and holding off the late charge of Oversubscribed to cross the wire first by 1 1/4 lengths.Overcoming the Odds
No Mo Candy's victory was all the more impressive given her long odds. Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm, the filly was an $80,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, a relatively modest price tag for a horse competing at the graded stakes level. Her triumph not only earned her connections a lucrative $96,250 payday but also cemented her status as a rising star in the sport.A Promising Future Ahead
With this first graded stakes win under her belt, No Mo Candy has firmly established herself as a horse to watch in the coming seasons. Her ability to overcome adversity and deliver a gutsy performance on the big stage suggests that she possesses the talent and determination to continue her ascent in the ranks of thoroughbred racing.As the industry eagerly awaits her next outing, the connections of No Mo Candy can bask in the glory of this unexpected triumph, a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport and the thrill of witnessing an underdog emerge victorious.