A switch from turf to dirt was just what was needed for Hard Spun’s Caps Lady as she relished Aqueduct’s main track for her first career victory.
Breaking alertly out of the gate, Caps Lady pressed the pace just off the lead until the top of the stretch where she found another gear, gaining the advantage midway down the lane, and then pulling away for a widening four and one-half length victory.
Caps Lady is out of Nasaieb who has now produced six winners from seven foals to race, a group that also includes G2-placed Kissing Lights. Nasaieb, a winning daughter of Fairy King, is a half-sister to G3 winner Raise a Grand and Stakes-placed Royal Alty. Nasaieb’s 2011 yearling is also by Hard Spun and her 2011 weanling is by other Darley stallion Henny Hughes.
Hard Spun is currently North America’s leading freshman sire by progeny earnings and he has sired a total of nine Stakes performers – six in Graded or Group company – including G2 winner Red Duke. He was also leading freshman sire at North America’s two-year-old sales with prices up to $675,000.
Hard Spun’s 2012 stud fee is $40,000, stands and nurses.
