Paynter’s Breeze Rider kicks off Fair Grounds meet with stakes win

Breeze Rider became Paynter’s 21st lifetime stakes winner with a gallant victory in the $75,000 Joseph R. Peluso Memorial S. on Thanksgiving Day at Fair Grounds (WATCH RACE).

The 4-year-old filly took the “about” 1 1/16-mile turf race by a neck over Alms after leading at every point of call. She covered the distance on the firm turf in 1:43.52.

Breeze Rider has had an excellent campaign this year, collecting six wins from 11 starts. Overall, her record stands at 10-3-2 in 23 starts with earnings of Mike Piazza Racing Stable LLC.

Breeze Rider was bred by Patrick and Brittney Durtschi. The bay filly’s dam Dancing Raven was a two-time stakes winner and is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Uncaptured.

Paynter is currently sixth on the 2021 General Sire list with progeny earnings of $13.3 million. Hi eight stakes winners are topped by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Whitney S. (G1) winner Knicks Go. Paynter will stand the 2022 season at WinStar Farm for $10,000 S&N.