ANCHOR DOWN kicked of 2021 on a high note when his first runner of the year was also his first winner on New Year’s Day with Lionessofbrittany winning an Allowance Optional Claiming event at Gulfstream Park. The victory was her second straight win in three starts.
Racing over five furlongs on turf, the newly-turned 3-year-old broke best and was always among the leading trio as she raced three paths wide. Taking over the lead just outside the final furlong Lionessofbrittany raced strongly to the line under Irad Ortiz, Jr. for a three quarters of a length victory.
Owned by Hibiscus Stables, Dig That Mine, and her trainer Steve Klesaris, Lionessofbrittany continued a good run for ANCHOR DOWN that also saw son Swot Analysis place second in a stakes on New Year’s Eve.
The first foal and first winner for her dam Divine Vow, Lionessofbrittany is a granddaughter of the stakes winning, Grade 2-placed mares Sol Mi Fa and a great-granddaughter of Group 1 winner Sil Sila.
TAPIT son ANCHOR DOWN is among the leading second crop sires by win percentage with eight winners from his first crop.