Keeneland witnessed an impressive debut Sunday as Army Mule filly Pinky Finger dominated her maiden special weight race with a commanding performance.
The Wesley Ward-trained juvenile filly left her male competitors in the dust, cruising to a 7 1/2-length victory in the 4 1/2-furlong contest. Sent off as the even-money favorite despite being the lone filly in the field, Pinky Finger immediately seized control at the break.
Under jockey Joel Rosario, the bay filly established a three-length advantage by the top of the stretch after a quarter in :22.10. Rosario merely had to glance back for potential challengers as his mount extended her lead down the lane without urging, crossing the wire geared down.
Happyhappyboy (Runhappy) finished second in the $82,854 maiden event.
The victory earned connections $50,918 for the impressive debut. Pinky Finger completed the distance in :52.56 over a good track.
The filly’s pedigree suggests further potential. Purchased as a $90,000 weanling at Keeneland November, Pinky Finger is out of Bird Map (by Liam’s Map). Her dam is a half-sister to the mother of graded stakes winner Pretty Birdie (Bird Song), who commanded $700,000 at this year’s Keeneland January sale.
Bird Map sold for $40,000 while carrying the winner at the 2022 Keeneland November sale and brought the same price while in foal to Aloha West at the 2023 auction. She produced a filly last year and was bred back to Hard Spun.
The victory continues Ward’s strong record with juvenile first-time starters.
The filly, #8 PINKY FINGER ($4.16) by Army Mule was way too fast for the boys in the opener at @keenelandracing. That is another 2-year-old debut winner trained by Wesley Ward as @JRosarioJockey was in the irons.
Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/aPyjioHV6o
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
The filly, #8 PINKY FINGER ($4.16) by Army Mule was way too fast for the boys in the opener at April 7, 2025
