It was a third career stakes win for MCKINZIE’s Tessellate on Sunday when the filly won the Sophomore Fillies S. at Tampa Bay.
Making her third stakes appearance this year, Tessellate went off as the heavy favorite in the seven-furlong dirt race while making her sixth consecutive stakes start overall. The sophomore raced in midpack a few lengths wide down the backstretch to give her a clear view of her path going into the far turn.
Continuing her wide run, Tessellate joined the leaders as they raced toward the stretch before kicking into full gear at that point. She didn’t face a true challenge in the final stages, pulling away to a 4 ¾ length victory in the end.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. for Magic Cap Stables, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, Castle Gate Farm, BAG Racing Stable, Turf Express Racing, and John Reindardt, she was also bred by Castle Gate Farm. In all, Tessellate has won four of her seven starts with two other top three finishes for $232,510 in earnings.
The filly is out of the winning Trappe Shot mare Shotdowninflames, who has produced three winners from three named foals. Shotdowninflames is one of five winners from five foals out of her stakes winning dam High Moment, who also produced the Grade 3 winning Luna Time. This page also includes Grade 2 winner Sir Whimsey.
Tessellate’s dam foaled a colt by MCKINZIE last year as well.
MCKINZIE leads all third crop stallions by number of Grade 1 winners, Grade 1 performers, and percentage of Grade 1 winners from his first two crops aged three or older.