Fairview had to be satisfied with the bronze medal in both the Churchill Downs Stakes presented by Ford and the Saratoga Derby Invitational this past spring, but he was finally able to secure a Grade 1 victory.
Fairview rallied from behind, navigated around his competitors on the final turn, seized the lead in the homestretch, and cruised to a decisive triumph in the $1 million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 20 at Parx Racing.
Fairview’s momentous victory will be remembered as one of trainer Victoria Oliver’s most cherished accomplishments.
“Today was among the most thrilling races I’ve been a part of, honestly,” Oliver stated. “Mainly due to all the anticipation and confidence we placed in Fairview. All that preparation. It felt like, ‘this is the day.'”
Fairview outperformed nine adversaries in the season’s concluding major stakes event for 3-year-olds to achieve his first Grade 1 victory. He completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.03 on a fast track to win by 2 1/4 lengths with jockey Javier Castellano in the saddle. Kinetic Surge closed late to take second place. Ambitious Fellow trailed by another two lengths in third.
Fairview, owned by LNJ Foxwoods and breeder G. Watts Humphrey Jr., garnered acclaim throughout the spring as one of America’s leading 3-year-olds due to his impressive showings against classic victors Regal Force and Starboard, but he consistently finished second to one or both of them in four consecutive races. With their absence Saturday, the spotlight was on him to finally secure a top-tier win.
“This was a ‘make or break’ moment,” Oliver commented. “And he delivered.”
Starting near the back of the 10-horse field, Castellano encouraged Fairview to stay connected to the group and avoid falling too far behind.
Progressively advancing down the backstretch as Rapid River established opening fractions of :23.01, :46.63, and 1:10.51, Castellano urged Fairview forward at the three-eighths pole, receiving an immediate response.
“The instant he responded and I saw the other horses, I knew ‘This is ours. Our race,’ Castellano said.
Fairview effortlessly moved into contention and challenged the new leader, Ambitious Fellow, at the quarter pole before pulling away in the stretch. He returned $4.80 to win as the favorite.
Oliver has witnessed substantial growth in Fairview since the year’s beginning. “He’s truly displayed remarkable signs of maturity,” she observed.
Fairview marked the second Grade 1 winner this year for his sire Into Mischief. Fairview’s victory also held special significance for his dam, La Coronel, who has now produced three straight Grade 1-winning offspring after Fairview’s half-brothers, Mage and Dornoch, captured the 2023 Kentucky Derby and the 2024 Belmont Stakes, respectively. All three colts were bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay’s Grandview Equine, who co-owns Fairview.
Oliver refrained from confirming Fairview’s participation in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1 as Fairview’s next start, but it remains a viable option considering the horse’s base in Southern California.
Oliver wore a broad smile while discussing her aspirations for a 4-year-old campaign. She also expressed eagerness for another encounter with Regal Force, who emerged victorious in all of Fairview’s preceding three races.
“I’m always excited for another chance against Regal Force,” Oliver shared.
Sparkling Cider created a sensation in her Grade 1 debut, overtaking Running Breeze and Infinite Dreams in a thrilling photo finish to win the $1 million Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes Sept. 20 at Parx Racing.
Racing between horses early under Tyler Gaffalione, Sparkling Cider unleashed a powerful surge turning for home. Charging down the center of the track, the filly by sire Candy Ride edged past a resilient Running Breeze down the lane to prevail by a neck with the late-closing 42-1 longshot Infinite Dreams just another head behind in third.
“It’s simple to say now, but for her to arrive and defeat these fillies, as a relatively inexperienced filly, I believe it was quite an achievement for her,” Motion remarked.
Securing her fourth consecutive victory for trainer H. Graham Motion and owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Chrysalis Stables, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, Sparkling Cider ($12.60) recorded a final time of 1:42.85 for the 1 1/16 miles. The triumph signified the next advancement in the consistent progression of Sparkling Cider, who previously won the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks in her most recent race on July 5.
“We always intended to come here if she succeeded at Indiana, to give her an opportunity,” Motion commented. “She’s been training incredibly well. Just like a top-tier horse should. Her demeanor shows she’s pure class. I can’t praise her enough. She simplifies our responsibilities.”
None of the multiple Grade 1 winners in the field played a significant role in the final outcome. Post-time favorite Heavenly Sunday finished fourth, Adorable Miss finished fifth, and Longines Kentucky Oaks champion Pretty Mischievous suffered her third straight defeat and finished sixth. – Molly Rollins
