Churchill Downs witnessed a thrilling finish Saturday as Sweet Seraphine secured her maiden victory by the narrowest of margins in the day’s opening race.
The 3-year-old daughter of Quality Road edged Shewontbudge by a nose in the one-mile maiden special weight contest, completing the distance in 1:35.89 over a fast track. The victory earned connections $75,755 from the $118,575 purse.
Sweet Seraphine, the 2-1 favorite making her first start in nine months, settled off the pace early before jockey Jose Ortiz guided her through an inside route around the far turn. She responded with a determined stretch drive, finding just enough to prevail in a photo finish.
The filly showed promise in her debut last August at Ellis Park, finishing third behind Echo Sound and Evanescence. Echo Sound recently captured the Grade III Miss Preakness Stakes, while Evanescence placed third in the Grade II Eight Belles Stakes on Kentucky Oaks day.
Trained by Cherie DeVaux for owner-breeder Stonehaven Steadings, Sweet Seraphine comes from an impressive female line. Her dam, Venetian Sonata (by Bernardini), has produced several notable offspring including Grade II stakes winner Moonlight d’Oro, Grade II Adirondack Stakes third-place finisher Olive Branch, and Grade II Starlet Stakes runner-up Flynn’s Chance.
The maternal family extends to champion 3-year-old filly and Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Tasman, also a daughter of Quality Road.
Venetian Sonata was purchased by Stonehaven Steadings for $170,000 at Keeneland’s January 2013 sale. Her 2-year-old Curlin filly, named Sonare, commanded $425,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale, while the mare delivered an Uncle Mo filly this season.
Sweet Seraphine herself was a high-value yearling, selling for $900,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale.
The victory improves her career record to two starts with one win, no seconds, and one third for lifetime earnings of $75,755.
📸 PHOTO FINISH!
Sweet Seraphine gets her nose down at the wire to win Race 1 for @jose93_ortiz and @reredevaux! pic.twitter.com/WbOkNvXaOP
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns)
📸 PHOTO FINISH!
Sweet Seraphine gets her nose down at the wire to win Race 1 for May 24, 2025
