Munnings Sister launched her 2014 campaign with a front-running victory in the $75,000 Awesome Feather S. Thursday at Gulfstream Park, giving the 5-year-old daughter of Speightstown her fifth career stakes win.
Speightstown already has 25 winners this year, most of any stallion in 2014. He finished 2013 in the top or second spot on the General Sire list in the categories of repeat winners, stakes winners, stakes wins and progeny earnings of over $11.2 million
In a contentious field of six fillies and mares going 5 ½ furlongs, Munnings Sister dueled with R Free Roll in the early stages, then dug in to hold off My Pal Chrisy in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:03.05 on a fast main track.
“I like fillies as they get older,” said trainer Barclay Tagg. “I’ve had a lot of luck with them that way. I was hoping I could keep her another year and it seemed to be all right with Mr. (Charles) Fipke, so that’s what we did. She’s coming around, and we’re hoping for a really good year.
“It had me a little frightened there when that horse came to her (in mid-stretch),” Tagg continued. “I liked the way she put the other horse away after she went head and head for a while. It showed a lot of courage and stamina and strength. I was proud of her. She’s a lovely little filly.”
Trained by Tagg for owner/breeder Fipke, Munnings Sister increased her career bankroll to $303,250. The Awesome Feather was the seventh win in 16 career starts for the chestnut mare, who also has three stakes victories at Belmont Park on her resume.
