Pondering put in a furious rally down the center of the course and reeled in Foxxy Cleopatra in the shadow of the wire to win the $250,000 KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint by a half-length at Ellis Park on Aug. 2.
It was the first Stakes victory for the three-year-old daughter of Hard Spun, who has excelled since being switched to the turf. Pondering entered the race off a sharp runner-up finish in the Pea Patch Stakes over the same course and distance on July 6.
A field of eight fillies and mares went to the post in the turf dash, and it was a rough beginning for Pondering, who bumped with rival Foxxy Cleopatra coming out of the starting gate and dropped back to last. Foxxy Cleopatra, meanwhile, had rushed straight to the lead, where she was joined by Won Happy Mama as they battled through the opening quarter-mile.
Pondering began to close ground approaching the far turn and loomed into contention at the top of the lane as she was swung seven-wide out near the center of the course. In deep stretch, Foxxy Cleopatra dug in but was unable to hold off the furious rally of Pondering, who was flying down the center of the course under jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Pondering swept past Foxxy Cleopatra in the shadow of the wire to score a half-length victory. It was another half-length back to Bling in third.
Pondering was bred in Kentucky and races as a homebred for Godolphin. She is out of the Street Sense mare, Always Thinking, winner of the Sensible Lady Turf Dash. Pondering is a half-sister to the talented turf sprinter, Think Big (by Twirling Candy), winner of the G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint, G2 Shakertown Stakes and G3 Kelso Stakes in 2025.
In addition to Pondering, Hard Spun's most recent top performers include Graded Stakes winners Sparkle Blue (G3 Hillsborough Stakes), Elysian Field (G3 Maple Leaf Stakes), Highway Robber (G3 Sycamore Stakes, setting a new Stakes and course record at Keeneland) and Spinning Colors (Mount Vernon Stakes).
