Indian Blessing breath taking in Prioress

The champ got back on a roll in a big way on July 5 in New York, as the brilliant Indian Blessing claimed an emphatic 5 ¼-length victory in the $150,000 Prioress Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

Off as the odds-on favorite in the six-furlong heat, Indian Blessing displayed a new tactic by settling in fourth down the backstretch while racing wide through a quick half-mile in :44.74 under new rider John Velazquez. On the sweeping far turn of Big Sandy, the daughter of the Baffert-trained duo of Indian Charlie and the Flying Chevron mare Shameful pulled Velazquez to the front to challenge, and when they turned for home Indian Blessing flashed her superior turn of foot and rolled to an easy win.

She stopped the timer in a crisp 1:09.36 over a tiring muddy track, a performance good enough to earn an eye-popping 109 Beyer Speed Figure. The win was Indian Blessing’s sixth from eight starts, marking her third in a Grade 1. Last year, Indian Blessing was named Champion 2-Year-Old Filly after going a perfect 3-for-3 with stylish wins in the Frizette (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Indian Blessing has earned $1,847,200 for breeders and owners Patti and Hal Earnhardt, long-time clients of Baffert Racing Stable.