Yahilwa sharp in G3 Sixty Sails Handicap

Five-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare Yahilwa took charge April 18 in the G3 Sixty Sails Handicap to become the latest Graded Stakes winner in what has been a tremendous year for Medaglia d'Oro.

In the one-and-one-mile race at Hawthorne, Yahilwa was in tight quarters between horses, just off the pace in fourth. Positioned in second entering the far turn, the mare took aim at the lead at the top of the stretch and kicked on down the lane for a commanding win.

Bred by Avalon Farms, Inc., Yahilwa is out of the Smart Strike mare Verbanella, a half-sister to the dam of multiple Graded Stakes winner Elaborate. The filly hails from the family of Champion and G1 winner Smart Angle.

Graded Stakes winners just keep coming for Medaglia d'Oro in 2015. The sire has now been represented by six Northern Hemisphere Graded or Group winners, and two more in Australia. They include G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap winner Mshawish, G1 Golden Slipper victor Vancouver, G2 Azeri Stakes winner Gold Medal Dancer, and G3 Prix De La Grotte-winning filly Mexican Gold. The sire is best known for his Horse Of The Year daughter Rachel Alexandra.

Medaglia d'Oro stands the 2015 breeding season for $125,000 live foal, stands and nurses.