Aurelia Garland, a 2-year-old filly by WinStar Farm stallion Constitution, earned TDN Rising Star status after impressively winning her career debut in a $100,000 maiden special weight at Belmont Park on Thursday, becoming her sire’s first winner.
Bred in Kentucky by Todd Frederick, Chad Frederick, and Phoenix Farm and Racing, and owned by George Bolton, the chestnut filly pressed the pace of Sweet Melania away from the gate. She cruised to the lead around the far turn, drawing away with ease through the lane. Ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer Wesley Ward, Aurelia Garland won the five-furlong event by five lengths in an eye-catching :57.51.
Purchased as a yearling for $185,000 by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock/Arthur Hoyeau at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select sale, Aurelia Garland is produced from the Dixie Union mare Azalea Belle. The filly’s second dam is Alcibiades Stakes (G2) winner Westerly Breeze.
Constitution, a multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire and a TDN Rising Star himself, became the first son of leading sire Tapit to win Grade 1 events in back-to-back seasons. He captured the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) as a 3-year-old in just his third start and then returned at four to prove best in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (G1). His 111 Beyer Speed Figure in defeating Lea in the Donn was one of the fastest Beyers over a mile in North America in 2015. A $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling, Constitution, who is out of the graded stakes-producing Distorted Humor mare Baffled, retired with earnings of $1,031,596.
