Back in 2007-2010, the adage “Good things come to those who wait” was illustrated by John Shirreffs, who took his time with a big, lanky filly named Zenyatta and developed her into one of the greatest race mares in American history. Unraced until November of her 3-year-old season, Zenyatta rewarded Shirreffs’s patient approach with four Eclipse Awards, topped off by the golden statuette as the 2010 American Horse of the Year. Now Bob Baffert is taking a page from Shirreffs’s book with a big, growthy filly of his own. While it’s too soon to say that his trainee Cavalieri is the next Zenyatta, Speedway Stables’ filly is certainly moving in the right direction. Chasing down her Group 1-winning stablemate Richi, who had everything her way on the front end, Cavalieri strode smoothly to the front in the last 100 yards of the B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile presented by FanDuel TV (USA-G1) and prevailed by three-quarters of a length. The victory ran Cavalieri’s record to a perfect four-for-four and boosted her bankroll to US$318,000.
Bred by Alastar Thoroughbred Co., Cavalieri is the eighth Grade/Group 1 winner for 2015 American champion 2-year-old male Nyquist. The leading son of the late Uncle Mo, Nyquist is now the primary representative of the Grey Sovereign branch of the Nasrullah male line in North America. This sire line came to the United States in 1977 via that year’s French champion sire, Caro, whose North American runners included 1985 American champion turf male Cozzene, 1988 Kentucky Derby winner and American champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors, and 1989 Canadian Triple Crown winner and Canadian Horse of the Year With Approval. While in Kentucky, Caro also sired 1984 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Siberian Express, whose blinding-fast multiple Grade 1 winner In Excess sired 1998 Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1) winner Indian Charlie, sire of Uncle Mo.
Cavalieri is the third foal of Stiffed, whose sire Stephen Got Even (by A.P. Indy) won the 2000 Donn Handicap (USA-G1). Previously the dam of 2023 Gulfstream Park Oaks (USA-G2) winner Affirmative Lady (by Arrogate), Stiffed was a nice filly during her own racing days, taking the listed Monmouth Beach Stakes and the restricted Jersey Girl Handicap as a 4-year-old in 2015.
A half sister to five-time stakes winner Speaking (by Mr Speaker) and to dual stakes winner Sea Streak (by Sea Wizard), Stiffed is out of the unraced Silver Deputy mare High Noon Nellie. The next dam in the tail-female line, Full and Fancy (by 1983 Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa, by Foolish Pleasure), won the 1997 Next Move Handicap (USA-G3) and is out of Full Twirl (by Full Out), a winning half sister to multiple stakes winners Big Daddy’s Dream (by Big Earl) and Flying Baton (by Accipiter). This family has a decent production record, but Cavalieri is arguably the best horse produced by any mare in the direct female line since 1904 Clark Handicap winner Colonial Girl, whose dam Springtide was Cavalieri’s 13th dam.
For what it is worth, Colonial Girl, a big, rugged mare who made a habit of beating males in good races, was at her best at ages 5 and 6, perhaps foreshadowing the development of her many-times-over “grand-niece.” In any event, patience has paid off with a Grade 1 win for a filly who looks as though she may still have some development coming to her. If so, she should be a significant player in this year's older female division.
Bred by Alastar Thoroughbred Co., Cavalieri is the eighth Grade/Group 1 winner for 2015 American champion 2-year-old male Nyquist. The leading son of the late Uncle Mo, Nyquist is now the primary representative of the Grey Sovereign branch of the Nasrullah male line in North America. This sire line came to the United States in 1977 via that year’s French champion sire, Caro, whose North American runners included 1985 American champion turf male Cozzene, 1988 Kentucky Derby winner and American champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors, and 1989 Canadian Triple Crown winner and Canadian Horse of the Year With Approval. While in Kentucky, Caro also sired 1984 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Siberian Express, whose blinding-fast multiple Grade 1 winner In Excess sired 1998 Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1) winner Indian Charlie, sire of Uncle Mo.
Cavalieri is the third foal of Stiffed, whose sire Stephen Got Even (by A.P. Indy) won the 2000 Donn Handicap (USA-G1). Previously the dam of 2023 Gulfstream Park Oaks (USA-G2) winner Affirmative Lady (by Arrogate), Stiffed was a nice filly during her own racing days, taking the listed Monmouth Beach Stakes and the restricted Jersey Girl Handicap as a 4-year-old in 2015.
A half sister to five-time stakes winner Speaking (by Mr Speaker) and to dual stakes winner Sea Streak (by Sea Wizard), Stiffed is out of the unraced Silver Deputy mare High Noon Nellie. The next dam in the tail-female line, Full and Fancy (by 1983 Santa Anita Derby winner Marfa, by Foolish Pleasure), won the 1997 Next Move Handicap (USA-G3) and is out of Full Twirl (by Full Out), a winning half sister to multiple stakes winners Big Daddy’s Dream (by Big Earl) and Flying Baton (by Accipiter). This family has a decent production record, but Cavalieri is arguably the best horse produced by any mare in the direct female line since 1904 Clark Handicap winner Colonial Girl, whose dam Springtide was Cavalieri’s 13th dam.
For what it is worth, Colonial Girl, a big, rugged mare who made a habit of beating males in good races, was at her best at ages 5 and 6, perhaps foreshadowing the development of her many-times-over “grand-niece.” In any event, patience has paid off with a Grade 1 win for a filly who looks as though she may still have some development coming to her. If so, she should be a significant player in this year's older female division.
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