“MY SKY WARRIOR” WINS G3 $200,000 TEMPTED

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – As the career of his star sprinter Stonetastic is winding down, trainer Kelly Breen has another talented filly starting out. On Saturday at Aqueduct, Miss Sky Warrior won her second straight race in the Grade 3 Tempted, a mile race for 2-year-old fillies.

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Although Miss Sky Warrior has a long ways to go to reach the level of Stonetastic, a multiple Grade 2 winner of $846,000, she is off to a good beginning. Miss Sky Warrior finished fourth to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies starter Yellow Agate in her debut, and then came back to win a maiden race at Parx Racing by seven lengths.

Miss Sky Warrior and jockey Paco Lopez pressed the early pace of Sky Gesture in the $200,000 Tempted. She took control of the race nearing the stretch, and then held off the late run of Berned to win by three-quarters of a length.

“Paco said he held her as long as he could and then let her go,” Breen said. “I was a little surprised because she’s so kind in the morning but I guess after two races she’s starting to get the knack of being a racehorse and wanting to go, go, go. In the stretch, she got in the front and got a little green but Paco said her stride never shortened.”

Miss Sky Warrior races for the Arlene’s Sun Star Stable of Arlene London, who bred the daughter of First Samurai. Breen said he would discuss future plans with London and Miss Sky Warrior would likely either stay in New York for the winner or go to Florida.

Miss Sky Warrior pressed fractions of 23.73 seconds, 47.55, and 1:12.69 before drawing away to complete the mile in 1:38.62. She paid $6.20 as the favorite in the seven-horse field.

Berned, trained by Tom Albertrani, raced in last position early, checked behind a rival nearing the stretch, and then finished well to overtake Eloquent Riddle for second by 1 1/4 lengths. Eloquent Riddle was forwardly placed throughout. Sky Gesture tired to finish sixth.

Last Sunday, Breen won the $100,000 Pumpkin Pie with Stonetastic, who at age 5 is completing her fourth season of competition. Breen said Stonetastic will likely be sent to Florida and make her final career start at Gulfstream Park in the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl on Dec. 17, a race she won last year.