One of three stakes winners on Saturday for TAPIT, Grade 1 winner Pauline’s Pearl added a seventh stakes victory to her record with a victory in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2).
Looking to avenge her third place finish in the race in 2022, the mare faced just two others in this 1 1/8 mile dirt affair with the trio tightly packed throughout. Taking up the last spot for much of the run, Pauline’s Pearl was just over two lengths behind the leader with Joel Rosario asking for more as they reached the turn.
It was a battle to the finish with Pauline’s Pearl joining the duo dueling for the lead with under a furlong left to go. Pauline’s Pearl had the advantage over the other two and steadily pulled away to win by three quarters of a length for her second graded stakes win of the year.
PAULINE'S PEARL stalks and pounces in the $400,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at @EllisParkRacing. This daughter of Tapit (@Gainesway) is trained by Steve Asmussen. @JRosarioJockey was up in the saddle. Congrats to owners @StonestreetFarm! 🏆
The Wise Dan is up next! pic.twitter.com/SO9ENev6dv
— TVG (@TVG) July 1, 2023
A homebred for Stonestreet Thoroughbreds, the Steve Asmussen-trained Pauline’s Pearl has won eight of her 19 starts with six other top three finishes for $2,127,400 in earnings.
Pauline’s Pearl is one of three stakes performers out of Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick with her young brother Marsalis earning his first blacktype on Saturday as well with a second place finish in the Listed Kelly’s Landing Stakes. The mare also produced multiple stakes winner and Grade 3 placed Union Jackson, with Hot Dixie Chick having four winners from five to race overall.
Pauline’s Pearl is one of three stakes winners for her own graded stakes winning dam alongside Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming and Grade 2 winner Positive Spirit.
TAPIT is the sire of seven stakes winners and 14 stakes performers in 2023, led by Grade 1 winner Tapit Trice.