Making her two-turn debut, WinStar color-bearer Savvy Supreme strode to a commanding victory in the 87th running of the Monmouth Oaks (G3) on August 12 (VIDEO).
The 3-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor, a full sister to multi-millionaire Grade 1 winner Commentator, had won the six-furlong Classy Mirage Stakes at Belmont earlier this year, but had never raced beyond a mile or around two turns.
It mattered not, as Savvy Supreme broke like a shot in the field of 11, then sat patiently just off the pace-setters through fractions of :23.12, :46.32, and 1:10.63. Under Elvis Trujillo, Savvy Supreme launched her bid three-wide on the far turn, then took command entering the stretch. Despite being challenged from the outside by favored Miss Valentine, Savvy Supreme dug deep and hung tough for a 1 ¾-length triumph.
This was the first graded stakes victory for the Todd Pletcher trainee, who was purchased for $520,000 as a weanling at the 2008 Keeneland November Sale. Bred in Kentucky by Brereton Jones and Racehorse Management, Savvy Supreme is out of the Storm Bird mare Outsource. Victory in the prestigious $159,000 race bolstered her record to 6-3-2-0 and $177,525, all earned this year.
“We had the perfect trip,” said Trujillo. “I was able to sit just off the speed duel…She was impressive today. There was no way that other horse was going to catch her.”
Said Anthony Sciametta Jr., assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher, “Coming out of sprints, we thought she’d be in front, but those two other horses went really fast early. We were able to sit in third just off the speed. Everything worked out perfectly for us. I’m not sure where she’ll go next. I would imagine she’ll ship back to Saratoga in a couple of days.”
Savvy Supreme becomes the 39th career Graded stakes winner and fifth 2011 Graded stakes winner for Distorted Humor. Champion Sire with his first crop to race, Distorted Humor is America’s Leading Sire of stakes winners this season, with 15 individual added-money winners to date.
