David Cassidy on the Web
Sweet Vendetta relishes mud in Black-Eyed Susan
May 17, 2008
www.brisnet.com
Sweet Vendetta continued her ascent with a professional score in the Black-Eyed Susan (Maryland Jockey Club Photo)
SWEET VENDETTA (Stephen Got Even) loved the slop when winning the March 19 Andover Way S. at Aqueduct by four lengths and liked the Pimlico mud just as much on Friday, collaring Shes All Eltish (Eltish) inside the sixteenth pole and drawing off to a 1 1/2-length score in the $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2). The second longest shot in the field of eight at 7-1, Sweet Vendetta returned $17.40, $8.40 and $5.20 while keying the $85.80 exacta, $514.20 trifecta and $1,809.40 superfecta (2-8-6-4).
The early pace of the Black-Eyed Susan was set by Comely S. (G2) winner Sherine (Precise End), who continued to lead around the far turn after setting fractions of :23 3/5, :47 3/5 and 1:12. Bonnie Miss S. (G2) winner Shes All Eltish, who raced five-wide down the backside, made a three-wide bid around the far turn and assumed control with three-sixteenths to go while lugging in sharply. Despite drawing off to a 2 1/2-length lead with a furlong to go, Shes All Eltish could not contain Sweet Vendetta, who swung out four wide turning into the stretch and wore down the leader under left-handed urging by Channing Hill. Sweet Vendetta, trained by Gary Contessa, completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 3/5.
Shes All Eltish held second by three-quarters of a length and paid $4.60 and $3.40. Seattle Smooth (Quiet American) rallied from last to finish third, 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Highest Class (Mineshaft), and returned $3.40. Following Highest Class were Pious Ashley (Include), Sherine, Maren's Meadow (Meadowlake) and 5-2 favorite Bsharpsonata (Pulpit). One Step Ahead (Include) was scratched.
"I loved the mile and an eighth for her. She was training up a storm," said Contessa. "I know she's a natural at this distance. She's almost 17 hands and has that big loping stride. I thought this was a good fit here.
"When the heavens opened up last night that added more icing to the cake. We know she loves the mud, as well. This is what we envisioned. This race, and maybe on to the (August 16) Alabama (S. [G1])."
Sweet Vendetta was bred in New York by entertainer David Cassidy and Edward Lipton, and is owned by Cassidy and Team Penney Racing. Winless in two starts last year, Sweet Vendetta broke her maiden in her fourth career start against state-bred company at Aqueduct. She then finished second in the Busher S. in her stakes debut before her victories in the Andover Way and Black-Eyed Susan. Sweet Vendetta has now earned $206,596 from a line of 7-3-1-0.
Sweet Vendetta, a $30,000 two-year-old purchase at the Keeneland January mixed sale, is out of the winning Desert Wine mare Sand Pirate, who has also produced the multiple stakes-winning Half Heaven (Regal Classic). Sweet Vendetta has an unraced two-year-old half-sister named I'm From Dixie (Dixieland Band) and an unnamed yearling half-sister by Afleet Alex.
