In each certainly one of Adare Manor ‘s 9 earlier wins, she both set or prompted the tempo, however within the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes introduced by Oak Tree Racing Affiliation Aug. 3 at Del Mar, she proved she does not require all the things to go her personal method. As a substitute, she overcame visitors bother and triumphed over a really powerful shipper in Scylla to get the victory.
Adare Manor is an “Amazon,” in coach Bob Baffert‘s phrases. A mare that dimension can have problem revving again up if she is stopped in visitors. However Adare Manor is in her finest type ever at age 5, and she or he demonstrated versatility within the Hirsch. That potential can be a helpful arrow in her quiver for this fall’s Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff, which can be held at Del Mar.
The Clement Hirsch was a Breeders’ Cup Problem Sequence “Win and You are In” race, and the win gave Adare Manor an computerized, fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Despatched off because the 3-5 favourite below common rider Juan Hernandez, Adare Manor confronted seven rivals together with two proficient shippers, Scylla, who was using a three-race profitable streak, and Fairly Mischievous, the 2023 Eclipse Award-winning champion 3-year-old filly.
Scylla gave Adare Manor the hardest problem, going to the entrance early within the 1 1/16-mile race after a slight bobble leaving the gate and dictating a reasonable tempo. Olivia Twist owned the quarter-mile fraction of :23, however Scylla was answerable for a half-mile in :46.52 and 6 furlongs in 1:10.97.
Adare Manor raced on the rail in third across the first flip and into the backstretch. Fairly Mischievous, final early, started passing horses and ranged up outdoors of Adare Manor heading into the second flip, transferring the Baffert filly into fourth. On the similar time, Desert Daybreak was edging up between them and briefly, between calls, put her head in entrance of Adare Manor. Hernandez then swung the large mare to the surface, and she or he readily responded.
Scylla wasn’t stopping on the lead, and it appeared like Adare Manor may run out of floor, however Adare Manor’s big strides did not fail her as she swept previous Scylla to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:43.29. Flying Connection completed third, Desert Daybreak fourth, and Fairly Mischievous fifth.
“She broke good, however I noticed a few guys attempt to get the lead,” stated Hernandez. “She relaxed fairly nicely behind the tempo. She’s top-of-the-line fillies I’ve ever ridden. She will be able to do all the things that you simply ask her.”
Baffert had a busy weekend, touring to Saratoga for the induction of Triple Crown winner Justify into the Nationwide Museum of Racing Corridor of Fame. Baffert additionally had Nationwide Treasure end sixth within the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on the identical day because the Hirsch.
Adare Manor is now three-for-three in 2024 after taking the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park and the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita. She received the Hirsch for the second 12 months in a row.
The late Clement L. Hirsch, for whom the race is called, was a founding father of the Oak Tree Racing Affiliation and a founding member of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Membership. Oak Tree added $100,000 to the stakes’ purse this 12 months, and Adare Manor went over the $2 million mark in whole earnings with the win.
