Susie Raisher Photo

Pacific Wind makes the grade in G2 Ruffian

by Heather Pettinger

Pacific Wind breezed by her competition Sunday at Belmont Park, earning her first stakes victory with a one-length score in the 42nd running of the Grade 2, $250,000 Ruffian for fillies and mares at a mile.

Pacific Wind broke cleanly under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and settled a close fourth through the early going as Faypien took the field of five through an opening quarter-mile in 23.04 seconds and a half in 46.39. Pacific Wind was angled out from her inside position as Highway Star assumed control in the turn. Ortiz guided his charge through a five-wide move into the stretch and reeled in Highway Star in the final jumps to complete the one-turn mile in 1:36.22.

"I broke good and got a nice trip," said Ortiz. "I waited there, just following horses. When I got in the clear, I asked her and she took off."

Sent off as the 3-2 favorite, Pacific Wind returned $5 for a $2 win wager.

The victory was the second straight for the 4-year-old Curlin filly since moving to the Chad Brown barn and her third win since switching to the dirt last fall. She made her first start for Brown in an optional claiming race on April 13 at Keeneland, where she drew off to an impressive 8 ¼-length win to earn a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for owners Sharon Alesia, Ciaglia Racing, Peter Brant and Dominic Savides.

"She's really been training well and we were cautiously optimistic that she could step up in a race of this caliber," said Brown. "Cutting back to one turn was a little bit of a concern. She had run well in a two-turn mile in Keeneland. But she got a favorable setup in front of her. She showed her versatility running at one turn today. She showed a real good closing kick. All around, she's a really nice filly."

Tequilita was third, finishing a half-length behind Highway Star. Faypien and Unchained Melody, making her first start in nearly nine months, rounded out the order of finish. Holiday Disguise was scratched.