Sunday, July 12, 2020

Three Chimneys Farm and Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings’ Guarana earned her third career Grade 1 win in Saturday’s $250,000 Madison S. (G1) at Keeneland, battling back in deep stretch to best Mia Mischief by a half-length.

Guarana’s victory gave the 4-year-old filly five wins in six starts and upped her earnings to $1,078,268. In addition to the Madison, she has wins in the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Saturday’s Madison turned into a terrific contest between Guarana and Mia Mischief, who pressed Guarana through a half-mile in a quick :45.92. Mia Mischief moved along side and took over the lead in upper stretch, but Guarana fought back and re-claimed the top spot in the final sixteenth to stop the timer in 1:21.70, about a half-second off the track record.

“I thought turning for home that the post really did us in this race and I was started to get a little disappointed,” said winning trainer Chad Brown. “But I could see at the sixteenth pole that she was finding her stride again and I think seven [furlongs] is maybe a tick far for the other filly. We were able to come back on her. She showed her heart. She showed that she=s a very special horse, which we’ve known for a long time.”

Guarana was bred by Three Chimneys and is a half-sister to their stakes-winning filly Magic Dance. Her dam Magical World is a daughter of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner Pleasant Home. Magical World foaled a Gun Runner colt this year.