Wilgerbosdrift’s well performed young stallion Fire Away gained a further boost to his pedigree when his close relative Strong Flag got off the mark on Sunday.
A three-year-old daughter of Strong Mandate, Strong Flag was third sprinting on debut at Churchill last November,and stretched to a mile to be a close-up fourth at Oaklawn last time out Feb. 9. Sent off at 4-1, the bay filly shadowed Cherokee Maiden through fractions of :24.52 and :48.93. The pacesetting favorite attempted to inch away on the far turn, but Strong Flag reeled her in into the stretch and strode clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
The filly was breaking her maiden at just the third time of asking.
Strong Flag’s third dam is unbeaten champion, and G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, Personal Ensign –North America’s Broodmare Of The Year in 1996, and granddam of the exciting young sire Fire Away.
A son of outstanding sire War Front, Fire Away (like Tapit, out of a mare by Unbridled) won seven times during his career (which saw him earn over $600 000) including the G3 Dixie Stakes.