Purr Sea battled with Oeuvre for most of the race before finally putting that rival away nearing the wire to win the Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante Stakes by one-and-a-quarter lengths at Hawthorne Race Course Dec. 4.
Victory in the Debutante marked the second straight Stakes win for the two-year-old daughter of Midshipman, who took the Showtime Deb Stakes last time out.
Purr Sea broke on top and was soon joined by Oeuvre and the two fillies battled each other through the opening half-mile. Oeuvre then took a slight lead on the far turn as Purr Sea tipped to the outside to get a clear run in the stretch. Purr Sea moved up to engage Oeuvre once again, and the pair fought through the stretch, with Purr Sea finally pulling away late to earn the victory.
Purr Sea was bred in Illinois by her owner, S. D. Brilie. She is out of the winning mare, Kitty’s Castle, and is a half-sister to Stakes-placed Cat Attack.
Midshipman’s 17% career Black Type horses from starters continues to be among the best in the business. In addition to Purr Sea, Midshipman is also represented by Averly Jane, winner of the Listed Indian Summer Stakes and Special Reserve, winner of the G2 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. In addition, Midshipman is the sire of 2021 Graded Stakes winners Royal Ship (G2), Naval Laughter (G3) and Kopenhagen (G3 Grande Premio Parana in Brazil).
