Pennybaker swept to the lead on the far turn and then put on the afterburners and rocketed to a six-and-three-quarter length victory in the Heavenly Cause Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday, 16 April.
Making her first start in the U.S. after racing exclusively in France, the four-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro handled her first try on dirt with aplomb, taking command at the top of the stretch and drawing off for an impressive win. It was the second Stakes win for the Godolphin homebred, who captured the Prix Miss Satamixa in her final start in France. Pennybaker has now won five straight and appears to be an exciting prospect in the older filly and mare division in North America this year.
Pennybaker was bred in Kentucky and is out of Macaroon, a winning full sister to multiple G1 winner and Darley stallion Frosted. Her second dam, Fast Cookie (G2 Cotillion Stakes), has also produced G3 Go For Wand Stakes winner, Indulgent (by Bernardini) and Caramel Snap, dam of G2 Lexus Raven Run winner, Caramel Swirl. Fast Cookie is also a half sister to G1 winner and Champion, Midshipman.
Medaglia d’Oro is the sire of 88 Group/Graded winners including 26 that have won at G1 level. Pennybaker became the stallion’s second Stakes winner of the day, joining the filly Mamounia, who took the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield in Australia.
Medaglia d’Oro is standing the 2022 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $100,000, stands and nurses.
