With his commanding three-length victory in Saturday’s $125,000 Marine S. (G3) at Woodbine, Shirl’s Speight ran his record to two-for-two and became the latest graded stakes winner for Speightstown.
The 3-year-old colt won his July 4 debut by eight lengths on the Woodbine turf, and was named a TDN Rising Star off the effort. Sent away as the even-money favorite on Saturday, Shirl’s Speight looked like a winner from the outset of the 1 1/16-mile race over the Tapeta. After stalking in second for six furlongs, he took the lead from Untitled with ease and was in complete control in the stretch, finishing the distance in 1:43.42 in a hand ride.
“Like I said before, he’s a horse with a tremendous amount of ability,” said Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield. “He settled down and rated. Once he got to the five-eighths pole, I was pretty sure he’d just keep galloping around there. He’s a very nice horse, for sure.”
Bred by his owner Charles Fipke, Shirl’s Speight is out of 2011 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) winner Perfect Shirl, who is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Shakespeare. Shirl’s Speight has a 2-year-old full sister Speightstown Shirl, who has yet to start. Shirl’s Speight is the 55th graded and 112th overall stakes winner for Speightstown.
