Coolmore homebred To A Flame made an impressive debut Saturday at Ellis Park, capturing a $90,025 maiden special weight event that was moved off the turf.
The 2-year-old daughter of Justify rallied gamely in the final yards to secure a half-length victory in the one-mile contest, completing the distance in 1:40.05 over good going.
Trained by George R. Arnold II for Bregman Family Racing LLC, To A Flame entered the race following a sharp July 12 workout at Keeneland, where she covered four furlongs in :47.20, the second fastest of 46 works at the distance that day.
The filly showed tactical patience early, settling off the pace as Undercover Agent (Omaha Beach) carved out pressured fractions of :23.43, :47.97, and 1:13.19.
To A Flame made her move approaching the quarter pole, splitting leaders and engaging in a stretch battle with the frontrunner. Though briefly losing ground in midstretch, she found another gear late to secure the victory.
The winning filly represents elite bloodlines as a daughter of G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas third-place finisher Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Her dam is a half-sister to group winner Hearthstead Maison (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and Group 1-placed Race Reviews (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells).
To A Flame’s full-brother Can’t Deny It is a winner, as is their 5-year-old full-brother Milwaukee. Her dam Moth has a yearling colt by Epicenter and was bred back to Justify for 2025.
This immediate female family includes G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Plumania (GB) (Anabaa), who established a branch that produced multiple group winner Plumatic (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Group 1-placed Solsticia (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}).
Plumania’s half-sister, group stakes winner Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}), is responsible for multiple group stakes winner Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G1 winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
To A Flame was purchased for $375,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Her career record now stands at 1-1-0-0 with earnings of $60,269.
