Highestdistinction Top of Class in Baltimore/Washington
It was the second graded stakes win for trainer Lindsay Schultz, jockey Jairo Rendon.
In a field scratched down to only four starters, Willow Lane Stable’s Highestdistinction settled in the back early but eagerly outran the trio of rivals to win the Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) by a widening 3 3/4 lengths Sept. 16 at Pimlico Race Course. The final time over a course rated good was 1:36.63.
The winner bumped with early leader King Vega near the 3/16 marker before putting that one away. King Vega was easily second best, five lengths ahead of favored Smokin’ T in third. He’spuregold was fourth and last.
Highestdistinction, b, 6/g
Point of Entry — Honor Your Gift, by SightseeingOwner: Willow Lane Stable, Inc.
Breeder: Willow Lane Stables (KY)
Trainer: Lindsay Schultz
Jockey: Jairo Rendon
Information provided by Equibase at time of entry.Pedigree Notes
Point of Entry stands at Adena Springs North for 7,500 CAN$ (2023).Highest Distinction paid $7.80 as the third choice.
Second GSWs for Schultz, Rendon
It was the second graded stakes win for trainer Lindsay Schultz, who got her first less than a month ago with Whelen Springs in Monmouth Park‘s Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3). The Darley Flying Start grad worked for John Shirreffs, Sir Mark Prescott, Tom Proctor, and Shug McGaughey before going out on her own at the end of 2021.
The Baltimore/Washington also was the second graded stakes win for jockey Jairo Rendon. The 40-year-old was a leading rider in Panama before spending seven years under contract to the Royal Family in Saudi Arabia until 2014. Now he rides only during the summer months in the United States and spends winters with family while tending to his 210-acre farm near Medellín, Colombia, with its 150 cows. Rendon’s last graded stakes win came in 2018.
Highestdistinction is by five-time grade 1 winner Point of Entry. A son of Dynaformer, Point of Entry stands for CA$7,500 at Adena Springs North in Ontario, Canada.
