Worth Over $318,652 Equine Superstar From Ireland, Is Set to Face a ‘True Test of Pace’ in America’s Invitation-Only Equestrian Circuit

Aspen Grove the three-year-old filly made headlines a few weeks back when she won Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational. The equine superstar from Ireland is participating in the Fasig-Tipton Fillies Turf Triple series which is an invitational series. In the second leg of the series, the filly is to face a true test of pace.

Trained by James A. Stack the Aspen Grove showed her formidable strength after coming from behind to win the race. The horse owned by Glen Hill Farm and Mrs. John Magnier looks strong for the Saratoga Oaks and aims to continue her winning form.

Aspen Grove all set for  Saratoga Oaks Invitational

Worth $318,652 Aspen Grove is set to take on the Grade 3 $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational. This second leg track has a 1 3/16-mile mellon turf. At the Belmont Oaks Invitational rallying by four and a half lengths, in the final stages of the race ridden by Oisin Murphy, she set the pace to win the race by three-quarters length. Aspen Grove completed the race in 2:04.09. But what was remarkable was her pace which was 86 Beyer Speed, the first outside Europe.

Before her Belmont Oaks Invitational win she had won Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF. During that race, she was ridden by Mark Enright, who has retired now. Mark continued to take care of her during her travel and arrived at both stakes for that purpose. He helped the filly in settling into the American environment and prepare her for the challenge.

Craig Bernick of Glen Hill Farm said that the idea behind Mark’s traveling was if the filly won the first stakes then he will remain in the US with her to take care of and handle her for the trainer.  Bernick was delighted with the win and said, “Mark has been with her the whole time and she’s had a good preparation, so hopefully she’ll be able to do it again“. The filly will start at Saratoga Oaks from post 10. Her next target after the upcoming race will be the Grade 3, $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational.

Aspen Grove’s owners confident of her win

The owners of Aspen Grove were happy with her last win and have confidence in her for the next.  Speaking on her progress Craig Bernick said, “She seems like she’s done well since her last race“. He explained that one is always worried about how a horse will adapt to the new environment, and she did fine. He further added, “it’s gone according to plan in her training since she’s been there. We’re looking forward to running her again“.

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Speaking on pace which will be the main test at Saratoga he said, “She did well with that setup. At Saratoga, the race is a little shorter, and usually, they go a little quicker. Hopefully, there’s a truer pace because it’s always a better race when there’s a good gallop.” Aspen Grove has seven starts in her career to date of which she had two wins. She earned $280,016 this year.

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