24 November 2014, Texas ~ Two important Arabian stakes races were held at Retama Park, Texas, on 22 November. In race 1, Burning Fleet (Burning Sand x Angel Proof by NF Proof) proved much the best over his competitors in the Grade 3 Texas Arabian Derby for four-year-old Arabian colts and geldings. Running on a very muddy track he set the early pace, clear by two lengths at the quarter. Continuing to increase his lead, he crossed the finish line an astounding twenty lengths over second place runner RB Rich. Burning Fleet’s stablemate, Burning Breeze finished third.
Under jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez, Burning Fleet covered the one and one sixteenth mile course in 1 minute, 57.21 seconds. Trainer Jerenesto Torrez also saddled coupled entry Burning Breeze.
Burning Fleet current lifetime record is 4 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 13 starts, with earnings of $60,268.
Also ran: A Classs Act, Chndakasexpress, and Djet Propelled.
In the Grade 3 Texas Arabian Oaks for 4 year old purebred Arabian fillies, the coupled entry from Delaware, Our Princess (Nivour de Cardonne x Monarchs Princess) under Kirsten Swan and Royal Richess (TH Richie x Royal Atheena), with Laura Carson up finished 1-2.
Our Princess is undefeated in 2014, and this was her first race outside of Delaware Park. She is owned and bred by Alan Kirshner and Deborah Mihaloff of Cre Run Enterprises, LLC, andis trained by Lynn Ashby.
Royal Richess, also bred by Cre Run, is owned in partnership with Ann Fostock, and trained by Ashby. She settled in behind her stablemate to earn second, placing 7 3/4 lengths over third placed filly RB Burn Baby Burn.
In weather that kept most Texas racing fans at home, Royal Princess‘ owner Deb Mihaloff stood smiling in the winners circle with trainer Lynn Ashby, Kirsten Swan, and Retama Park racing secretary James Leatherman. Mihaloff had flown in from the east coast for the event. “We weren’t sure we were going to get in on time. But we are glad we did. Now no one can question how good these fillies are. We have taken them from Delaware to prove that. It was pouring when we excepted the trophy, but Lynn and I didn’t feel the rain. It was great!”
Also ran: Top Thess, My Vaz Is Hot and Djets Tigress also ran. The race paid $21,785, divided among all fillies who raced with $10,893 going to the winner.
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