Mandy's Gold was 1-for-2 lifetime at Saratoga. She won the Honorable Miss over a fine performance by Jean-Luc Samyn on 2nd place finisher Shine Again.
Shine Again returned to defeat Mandy's Gold in the Gr 1 Ballerina next time out -- this time Shine Again got a pace setup and Saymn didn't get in her way at all. Mandy's Gold checked home 3rd. The 6/5 favorite Raging Fever finished 2nd.
The great mare Esposa was 1st or 2nd in four different Whitney Handicaps at Saratoga. She was 2nd in the Whitney to Hall of Famer Discovery twice. She was a close 2nd to Hall of Famer War Admiral and only got 5lbs from him.
Since Esposa won the Whitney in '37, only three other females have won the Whitney (Personal Ensign, Lady's Secret, and Gallorette) -- finishing first or 2nd in the race 4 years in a row is a great accomplishment.
She also won several other important Stakes at Saratoga, including other major wins over top males, and is the most accomplished female horse in the history of the track in terms of wins and placings. She even finished 3rd in the Hopeful as a 2yo, only one other filly since has had a top 3 finish in the Hopeful.
Not that Mandy's Gold isn't worthy of having a race named after her, in fact, she's probably one of the most worthy of the recent ones.
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