Coglianese Photo

Daisy impresses with victory in G3 Tempted

by Najja Thompson

Making only her second career start and graded stakes debut for Fox Hill Farm and trainer John Servis, Daisy won the Grade 3, $150,000 Tempted on Friday's Opening Day card of the 2017 fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Leaving the gate as the 5-2 second choice from the rail with Kendrick Carmouche aboard, Daisy went to the lead from the field of six. Closely stalked by Oldfashioned Style, Daisy set fractions of 22.83 seconds for the opening quarter-mile with the half in 46.39.

Separating themselves from the rest of the field at the quarter-pole, Oldfashioned Style challenged the leader, going to the front.

Set into a drive at the top of the stretch, Daisy thwarted back the challenge. Extending away to the wire she secured the victory by 4 ¾ lengths.

She completed the one mile distance in a final time of 1:37.18.

"John just told me to ride her right out of the gate," said Carmouche. "She broke real sharp. With the inside being a little deep, I just wanted to get outside a little. At the quarter-pole, I hit her and she reacted right away and just leveled off. She responded real good when I asked her at the top of the lane. Thanks to John Servis [the trainer] and Mr. [Rick] Porter [of Fox Hill], it looks like they have a good one."

Returning $7 for a $2 win wager, the daughter of Blame purchased for $80,000 as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton August Sale in Saratoga boosted her career earnings to $127,800 picking up her first career stakes victory. Now unbeaten in two starts, her victory in the Tempted follows an impressive eight length win in her debut by at Parx on October 9.

Following Oldfashioned Style in second was Sweet Candy Dance, 1-9 post time favorite Navajo was fourth, followed by One Last Cast and Lady Freedom completing the order of finish.