A ‘Savvy’ run by the girl
ANTHONY Nunes’ Savvy Girl found the racing groove in her fifth career start, producing a late run for a comfortable win in the $990,000 Atomica (Horse of the Year) maiden condition race for native-bred three year-olds over one mile (1,600m) on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
Savvy Girl previously finished third twice and second twice before the spark ignited on Saturday. Savvy Girl crossed the finish line 9 1/2 lengths from rivals under jockey Tevin Foster.
Bred by Savoy Stomp out of the Blue Pepsi Lodge mare Runallday, the three-year-old bay filly Savvy Girl completed the distance in a time of 1:1:43.2 (24.3 x 48.1 x 1:14.2).
Savvy Girl broke off well at the start of the race and settled into third place behind Smooth Aviator (Robert Halledeen) and Bad Investment (Trevor Simpson) leaving the intersection at the furlong (1,400m) pole.
Even though Wayne’s Princess (Robert Halledeen) passed her approaching the half-mile (800m) turn, Foster remained calm down the backstretch. Foster then let loose the notch and Savvy Girl rounded horses on the inside rails to go in pursuit of Wayne’s Princess approaching the distance.
With the momentum going her way Savvy Girl exploded in the final stretch, powering and powered home to win easily ahead of MPRS Links (Roger Hewitt) and Manoushe (Dane Dawkins).
“The performance by Savvy Girl was a good one as she did everything well and won. The time was slow today; the racetrack looked a little fast but she won nicely, so she has some improving to do.
“Yes, it is early days yet but obviously you are hoping that they are good enough to maybe get on the Classic campaign. She is nicely bred and we have time, so let’s hope she improves. She covers every inch of ground,” Nunes said.