Amalfi Sunrise drew in from the also-eligible list and then drew off in the stretch en route to an emphatic debut victory on the closing day card at Santa Anita. The effort caught the attention of the Thoroughbred Daily News, who tabbed the filly a ‘Rising Star’.
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The daughter of WinStar Farm’s Constitution was bred by Jack Mandato and was foaled and raised at Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Amalfi Sunrise was sold by Hidden Brook at last year’s Keeneland September auction to Royal Colors Racing. She resurfaced a the OBS April Two-Year-Old in Training sale where she commanded $185,000 after a sparkling :9 4/5 breeze.
Making her debut in the colors of Doug Branham and Marsha Naify, Amalfi Sunrise broke well from her outside draw to keep front-running Save the Story in her sights from second. She ranged up to that foe heading for home, and scampered clear in the lane under very confident Norberto Arroyo, Jr. handling to romp by 6 1/4 lengths with another 7 1/4-length chasm back to third.
“I think you can’t ask anything more from a 2-year-old filly first time out,” said trainer Simon Callaghan. “She did everything really well. She was professional, broke well, drew away like a good filly and ran a good time.
“She’s a filly that we’ve always liked. We’re looking forward to the rest of the year with her.”
The winner is half to UAE Group 3-placed Gotti and a yearling colt by Violence. Her dam Soot Z, a daughter of GSW/GISP Bella Chiarra was sold by Hidden Brook for $92,000 at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale in foal to Tiznow.
Amalfi Sunrise is the fourth winner for her first-crop sire, a son of Tapit. Four days earlier the Hidden Brook Farm co-ownd Bayerly Seen became the first winner for Breeders’ Cup Classic champ Bayern with a 12 1/4-length victory on debut at Indiana Grand.
-portions from www.thoroughbreddailynews.com
