Arienza and the Novel Nine

Summer Soiree and Plum Pretty won by explosive margins over the weekend in key Kentucky Oaks preps but there was one other race that may have produced a serious Kentucky Oaks contender. Arienza is beyond a doubt the most royally bred 3-year-old filly in the nation as the daughter of 2002 American Horse of the Year and three time Champion Older Female Azeri and 2000 European Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway. Arienza was scratched from the 6 furlong Prima Donna Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in favor of going two turns in a 1 mile Optional Claiming Allowance the next day.

The decision proved to be a good one as the chestnut filly remained undefeated in two lifetime starts. Arienza broke like a bolt from the gate and took a one length lead heading into the first turn. Under tight restraint the talented filly rolled down the backstretch two lengths clear of her closest opponent with ears pricked, getting the half mile in :48.05. Entering the far turn Arienza’s two length lead diminished quickly as Hidatsa made a bold rush for the lead. It was a futile move by the challenger as Arienza quickly opened up once again with just a shake of the reins, coasting down the homestretch and under the wire an easy winner by 2 ½ lengths. Her gallop out was exceptional as she continued to pull away with confidence.

In both her starts the official charts have made the following notes; (1^st start) confident, ridden out and (2^nd start) cleared, plenty left. With a pedigree like Arienza’s the sky is the limit and the displays of talent she has produced so far give no reason to think she won’t be able to compete with the nation’s top fillies. Her final time for the mile was a fairly slow 1:38.05 but it was the ease with which she won that really counts. It is also worth mentioning that Giant’s Causeway was the leading North American sire in 2009 and 2010.

Arienza’s next start could come in the Fantasy Stakes on April 10^th where she would face Joyful Victory. [Check out the complete post and the latest Novel Nine rankings on Horse Racing Nation]