Wilgerbosdrift’s highly successful stallion Flower Alley had a major turf success at Santa Anita on Sunday.
His consistent son Nessy landed the first graded win of his career when victorious in the G3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes, downing a high-class field in the process.
An own-brother to recently deceased G1 winner Bullards Alley, Nessy picked up the third win of his career, and pushed his earnings to over $300 000 with a one length win for jockey Mike Smith and trainer Ian Wilkes.
Nessy trailed in fifth early as the field made its way down the Santa Anita hillside turf course, then advanced into striking position in the backstretch, angled out at the top of the stretch, and surged to the wire. A Red Tie Day set fractions of :48.44, 1:13.01, and 1:40.29 through a mile and dug in late to hold off Rye by a head for second.
It was a first graded win for Nessy, who had previously been second in both the G3 Sycamore Stakes and G3 W.L. McKnight Handicaps.
The San Juan Capistrano has a rich and prestigious past, with past winners including such champions as Kotashaan, Lemhi Gold, and John Henry.
Flower Alley, now responsible for 21 stakes winners, has 31 yearlings on this week’s Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale.