Contributing held off the late rally of favored Goldberry to win the $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes by a head at Fair Grounds Jan. 5.
It was the first Stakes victory for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, after having finished second in this race last year.
Overlooked by bettors and sent off at odds of 10-1, Contributing had to bull her way through traffic in the stretch. Once in the clear, she closed strongly to overtake Excessivespending, then was able to hold off the late charge of Goldberry to post the upset win.
Bred in Kentucky by Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch LLC, Contributing is out of Taegu, a winning daughter of Halo. In addition to the Pan Zareta winner, Taegu has produced Classic Elegance (by Carson City), winner of the G2 Schuylerville Stakes and G3 Debutante. Contributing is also a half-sister to the dam of Believe You Can, winner of the G1 Kentucky Oaks.
Medaglia d’Oro is now the sire of 120 Stakes winners worldwide. Of those, 21 are G1 winners, led by the likes Rachel Alexandra and Songbird as well as Astern who stands his second season this year at Jonabell.
Medaglia d’Oro will stand the 2019 breeding season at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $200,000, stands and nurses.
