North Dakota is SW145 for Medaglia d’Oro winning Saturday’s Gr3 Red Smith Stakes (11f) on the turf at Aqueduct.
Jose Lezcano ignored the sharp early pace set by The Real Factor and waited until approaching the final turn before asking North Dakota for his finishing effort, the four-year-old responding well to finish best of all and defeat Red Knight (Pure Prize) by half a length with Ziyad (Rock Of Gibraltar) in third.
It is the fourth win from 12 starts for the Joseph Allen-homebred.
North Dakota is the stakes winner for his dam, the three-time Listed winner and Gr1-placed Starry Dreamer (Rubiano) following the Gr2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap winner and leading sire War Front (Danzig), the Gr2 Shuvee Handicap winner Teammate (A P Indy) and the dam of Listed winner Team Of Teams, dual Gr3 Jaipur Stakes winner and sire Ecclesiastical (Pulpit) and US Listed winner Riviera Cocktail (Giant’s Causeway).
Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado) has enjoyed good success with mares from the Mr Prospector-line, including Gr1 winners Rachel Alexandra (Roar), Talismanic (Machiavellian), Violence (Gone West), Bar Of Gold (Kingmambo), Cambier Parc (Point Given), Warrior’s Reward (Seeking The Gold), Elate (Distorted Humor), Lochte (Lemon Drop Kid) and New Money Honey (Distorted Humor).
This trend is also seen in 2yo Gr1 winner Violence who has Gr1 winners Volatile, No Parole and Dr Schivel with duplications of Mr Prospector.
Three-time Gr1 winner Medaglia d’Oro shuttled to Australia for several seasons but is now a permanent resident at Darley Stud in Kentucky where the 21-year-old is advertised at $150,000 in 2020.
A little earlier Live Oak-homebred two-year-old filly Inthewinnerscircle landed the Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes to become SW 144 for Medaglia d’Oro.
Inthewinnerscircle defeated Yafa (Handsome Mike) by 1-1/4 lengths at the end of the one mile stakes contest.