Loved took the lead at the top of the stretch and never looked back on her way to posting a two-length victory in the $100,000 Mari Hulman George Memorial Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday, 6 July.
It was the first Stakes win for the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who improved her record to four wins in seven career starts.
Loved broke a bit awkwardly from the starting gate but recovered quickly and sat just off the early pace set by Hidden Connection. Despite being carried three-wide into the clubhouse turn, the Godolphin homebred remained less than two lengths off the lead as the field raced down the backstretch.
Loved made her bid at the half-mile pole, quickly moving up to engage Hidden Connection for the lead. As the field hit the top of the stretch, Loved hit another gear and took command and pulled away, eventually crossing the wire two lengths ahead of Take a Stand, as a tiring Hidden Connection had to settle for third.
Loved was bred in Kentucky and is out of Velvety (Bernardini), making her a half-sister to multiple G1 winner and current Darley stallion, Maxfield. Velvety, in turn, is out of the multiple Graded Stakes-winner, Caress (G3 Beaugay, G3 Poker H., etc.), and is a half-sister to Sky Mesa (G1 Hopeful) and Golden Velvet (G3 Sixty Sails).
In addition to Loved, Medaglia d’Oro is also the sire of Delahaye, winner of the G3 Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes at Churchill Downs and multiple 2024 Stakes winner, Spirit of St Louis. The stallion is also represented this year by Nash (Hot Spring Stakes), Our Pretty Woman (Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes) and Kallos, winner of the G2 Rubiton Stakes in Australia.
