Sandstone broke on top and was never seriously threatened on her way to posting a ten-and-three-quarter length victory in the Rags to Riches Stakes at Churchill Downs October 31.
It was the first Stakes win for the two-year-old filly by Street Sense, who broke her maiden in her previous start when romping by nine lengths at Churchill Downs on Oct. 3. Sandstone has now won two of her three career starts.
Sandstone, ridden once again by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., broke alertly and quickly assumed the lead. The bay filly led the compact field of four through the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch while continuing to maintain her half-length lead. In the stretch, Sandstone was briefly challenged by favored Yuugiri, but easily shrugged off that rival and pulled away, crossing the wire in front while being geared down.
Bred in Kentucky by Mark and Cindy Stansell, Sandstone is out of Seattle Shimmer, an unraced daughter of Seattle Slew. In addition to Sandstone, Seattle Shimmer has produced multiple Graded Stakes-placed Sway Away (second G2 Best Pal, G2 San Carlos and G2 San Vicente) and Shaken (second G2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes). Seattle Shimmer is out of Golden Gale, winner of the G2 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland.
Included among Street Sense's Stakes winners in 2021 are Maxfield, winner of three Graded Stakes including the G2 Stephen Foster and G2 Alysheba. Maxfield is set to join his sire on the Darley stallion roster in 2022 after a final start in the G1 Clark Handicap on Nov. 26. Street Sense is also represented this year by Graded Stakes winners Zaajel (G2 Mother Goose), Concert Tour (G2 Rebel) and Minister (G1 Kranji Mile in Singapore).
