After showing considerable promise throughout her career, Elate finally broke through and earned her first G1 victory when she charged to a five-and-a-half length victory in the historic Alabama Stakes at Saratoga.
Elate provided her sire, Medaglia d’Oro, with his second straight winner of the Alabama. Champion Songbird captured the 10-furlong contest in 2016 on her way to earning an Eclipse Award. He is currently North America's leading sire by number of G1 winners:
1. Medaglia d'Oro 4
2. Tapit 3
3. War Front 2
Ghostzapper 2
four others 2
Settled in mid-pack through the early stages of the race, Elate began to close on the leaders on the far turn. Elate took command at the top of the stretch, and pulled away to win convincingly.
Elate was bred in Kentucky by her owners, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider. She is out of the Stakes-winning Distorted Humor mare Cheery, a daughter of G2 winner and G1-placed Yell, and a half to G1 winner Eastern Echo, and multiple Graded Stakes winner Roar.
Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of four G1 winners in 2017, more than any other active sire. In addition to Elate, Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of Songbird, New Money Honey, and Dickinson.
Both Songbird and New Money Honey were purchased as yearlings in 2015, having been sold at Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga and Keeneland in September, respectively. In 2017, Medaglia d'Oro continues to flex his muscles in the sales ring and is currently the leading sire in North America by 2017 yearling average:
1. Medaglia d'Oro $756,250
2. Tapit $600,000
3. War Front $552,000
