Fioretti springs upset in G2 Thoroughbred Club of America

Fioretti rallied from mid-pack to take the lead with less than a furlong to run, then held off the late charge from Heykittykittykitty to win the G2 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 3.

The daughter of Bernardini, who entered the race off a second-place finish in the G3 Groupie Doll Stakes, earned an automatic berth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint with the victory. In June, Fioretti had captured the Roxelana Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Fioretti was bred in Kentucky by James G. Bell. She is out of Move Clickly, a winning daughter of champion Cherokee Run who has also produced recent Belmont maiden winner, Louisville First by Girolamo. Fioretti hails from the immediate family of Manahan McLir, winner of the G2 American Derby.

Fioretti’s sire, Bernardini, is having an outstanding year. The son of A.P. Indy has sired thirteen G1 winners thus far, including G1 Champagne winner Greenpointcrusader, G1 Humana Distaff winner Dame Dorothy, and G1 Spinaway winner, Rachel’s Valentina.  In addition, Bernardini is the sire of Boban, a four-time G1 winner in Australia, as well as back-to-back G1 Travers winners Stay Thirsty and Alpha, and multiple G1 winner To Honor And Serve, whose full-sister, Angela Renee, won the G1 Chandelier Stakes.