Pondering overhauled Canadian champion Caitlinhergrtness in deep stretch to post a three-quarter length victory in the G3 Bessarabian Stakes at Woodbine on November 8.
It was the second stakes success for the Godolphin homebred by Hard Spun, who won the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes Aug. 2.
It was a battle for the early lead of the seven-furlong main track contest, with Stormcast, the 2024 winner, crossing over from the outside to get to the front. Just behind her were Dolce Sopresa in second, with Pondering tracking in third.
Stormcast continued to lead the way down the backstretch, with Caitlinhergrtness, the 2-1 favorite, now second, as Pondering sat in fourth.
Caitlinhergrtness seized control into the turn for home and then looked to dash away from her pursuers in early stretch. Pondering had yet to have her say, however, and she set her sights on the 2024 King’s Plate winner. Pondering surged to the lead enroute to posting a three-quarter length victory over Caitlinhergrtness, with Love Cervere closing to be third.
Pondering was bred in Kentucky and 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.
Hard Spun will stand the 2026 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $20,000, stands and nurses.
