Vigilantes Way took command at the top of the stretch and drew off to an impressive two-and-a-quarter length victory over 11 rivals in the G3 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park June 20.
It was the first Graded Stakes victory for the promising four-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who captured the Listed Tropical Park Oaks in 2020. Vigilantes Way has won five of her 12 starts and has finished in-the-money 10 times.
Breaking sharply from post 12 under jockey Paco Lopez, Vigilantes Way was hustled out of the gate from her wide draw and was settled into a stalking position in third in the initial stages of the race. Vigilantes Way made her bid on the far turn, moving up on the outside to challenge Valletta for the lead. The duo battled throughout the turn before Vigilantes Way took the lead at the top of the stretch and drew off to post the victory.
Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Phipps Stable, Vigilantes Way is out of the multiple Graded Stakes-placed Unbridled mare Salute, a daughter of Champion and multiple G1 producer Personal Ensign. Vigilantes Way is a half-sister to G1 winner Mr. Speaker, G3 winner Fire Away, and G3-placed Snap Decision.
Vigilantes Way is one of eight Stakes winner for Medaglia d’Oro in 2021. In addition to the Eatontown winner, he is represented by multiple Hong Kong G1 winner Golden Sixty; Risk Taking (G3 Withers); Beautiful Gift (G3 Santa Ysabel); Moonlight d’Oro (G3 Las Virgenes); Altaf (Listed Lady’s Secret Stakes); Adelong (Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes) and New Trails (Listed Curlin Stakes).