Turfway Park witnessed a stunning upset Wednesday as Family delivered a commanding wire-to-wire victory at 27-1 odds in her racing debut.
The 3-year-old filly by Sharp Azteca dominated the $78,125 maiden special weight contest, pulling away to win by 4 3/4 lengths while completing the six-furlong synthetic track race in 1:12.25.
Family showed impressive early speed, establishing the lead immediately and setting fractions of :23.01 and :46.45. When challenged by Maclean’s Lullaby entering the turn, she responded decisively, repelling her rival and drawing clear in the stretch.
Maclean’s Lullaby (by Maclean’s Music) held on for second place.
Owned by Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds and trained by Michelle L. Elliott, Family earned $47,269 for the victory. The Kentucky-bred filly was ridden by Fernando De La Cruz.
Family comes from an accomplished female line. She is a half-sister to Vegas Magic (by Good Magic), winner of the GII Sorrento Stakes in 2022 with earnings of $247,200. Her dam, Heidi Maria (by Rockport Harbor), was a multiple stakes winner with career earnings of $220,764.
The filly’s pedigree includes connections to multiple graded stakes-placed Don’t Bring Crazy (by Maximus Mischief), as well as stakes winner and graded stakes-placed Beth’s Dream (by Jess’s Dream) and Sweet Whiskey (by Old Fashioned).
Family has a juvenile half-brother named Collecting (by Collected) who has not yet raced. Her dam aborted a 2024 Good Magic foal and was bred to both Epicenter and Practical Joke for the 2025 foaling season.
Family takes them gate-to-wire to upset at 27/1 on debut in R4 at @turfwaypark for trainer Michelle Elliot with Fernando De La Cruz in the saddle! 💰
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/kh8pfDcYhU
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
Family takes them gate-to-wire to upset at 27/1 on debut in R4 at March 7, 2025
