Aunt Pearl is SW76 for Lope de Vega winning Wednesday’s Gr2 Jessamine Stakes (8.5f) for 2yos at Keeneland.
Aunt Pearl broke sharply then led all the way, passing the post 2-1/2 lengths clear of Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie) in 1:40.86, nearly two seconds faster than the previous race record set by Solvig in 1999. Ingrassia (Medaglia d’Oro) finished third.
The win gives the Brad Cox-trained Aunt Pearl an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on November 6.
Bred in Ireland by Ecurie des Charmes and Ballylinch Stud, Aunt Pearl sold for 280,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when she was purchased by agent Liz Crow.
Aunt Pearl is one of two winners to date out of Matauri Pearl (Hurricane Run), winner of the Norsk 1000 Guineas and Listed placed three times including second in the Lanwades Stud Sakes at Ovrevoll and at Taby.
Matauri Pearl is a sister to Gr3 Prix Chloe at Chantilly winner and three-time Gr1 placed Wekeela.
The third-dam Morning Queen (Konigsstuhl) is a sister to Gr1 winner and successful sire Monsun.
Dual French classic winner Lope de Vega (Shamardal) shuttled under the Patinack banner for four seasons to Australia from 2011 with the Group 1 winning sprinters Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic and Gytrash among his best performers.
Now a permanent resident at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland, he has eight other Gr1 winners including Belardo, who is now at stud under the Darley banner.
Lope de Vega is advertised at €100,000 in 2020.