Stellar Wind posts sharp breeze prepping for Pegasus

Stellar Wind passes the stands for the first time in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup. Photo by Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders’ Cup.

From a Gulfstream Park release

Stellar Wind continued to impress trainer Chad Brown Sunday morning with her preparation for the $16 million Pegasus World Cup (G1), breezing five furlongs in 1:00.80 at Palm Meadows Training Center.

The breeze was the 6-year-old, Virginia-bred mare’s sixth workout for the world’s richest race Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park since joining Brown’s stable at Gulfstream Park’s satellite training facility in Palm Beach County.

“She worked a very strong five-eighths and galloped out a very strong three-quarters. She seems to be doing very, very well,” Brown said. “Each week her breezes get a little bit stronger. She hasn’t missed a beat since she’s been in the barn.”

Stellar Wind was purchased by M.V. Magnier for $6 million at the Keeneland November Sale just days after finishing a troubled eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar. The daughter of Curlin, who has won 10 of 16 races and more than $2.2 million in purses, had previously won three consecutive Grade 1 stakes.

“She’s all class. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here. We’re just trying to keep her happy and she’s been a real sound horse since arriving,” Brown said. “She was obviously well taken care of her whole career. She’s been just a real pleasure to have in the barn. She’s a terrific addition to our stable.”

Stellar Wind will represent stakeholder Coolmore in the second running of the Pegasus World Cup, which attracted the first five finishers of the Breeder’s Cup Classic (G1) – Gun Runner, Collected, West Coast, War Story and Gunnevera – as well as Cigar Mile (G1) winner Sharp Azteca.

“We’re excited about her chances in the Pegasus,” Brown said. “It’s a tall order. It’s a tough, tough race, but she couldn’t be doing any better.