Thoroughbred Daily News 8/2/25
Memo Racing & Amo Racing USA had to stretch to $1,100,000 to secure Ornellaia (Girvin) during a sloppy edition of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale earlier this year. The filly took a step towards justifying that price tag when she came flying home late at Saratoga to become New York’s fourth ‘TDN Rising Star‘ on the day and the second for trainer Chad Brown.
Having worked :10.1 in Maryland before breezes were cut short for the rest of the sale due to the poor weather conditions, Ornellaia got a dry, fast track Saturday and made the most of it. Slowest of the field from the blocks, the 9-2 shot trailed nearly the entire way up the backstretch as race favorite Cadenza (Charlatan) took pressure into the far turn. Advancing along the inside and passing runners but still far enough back that the cameras barely caught her, Ornellaia was far from a factor as the leaders, paced by Steer Clear (Street Sense), swung into the straightaway. Under confident guidance from Flavien Prat (also aboard his second ‘Rising Star of the day), the sales topper had to weave her way through traffic, coming first up the inside at the furlong pole before switching out with still four horses in front of her and a sixteenth to run. But once in the clear and widest on the course, the daughter of Girvin rolled right on by for the impressive victory.
Ornellaia is the third ‘Rising Star‘ for Airdrie Stud’s Girvin, joining MGSW Damon’s Mound and GISW and $4,000,000 FTKNOV grad Faiza. Scarlet Dixie, who sold to Chad Schumer for just $18,000 in foal to Tiz the Law at KEENOV in 2023, is running a perfect three-for-three runners to winners. Though she lost that 2024 Tiz the Law foal, she returned to the Coolmore sire for 2025 and reported a filly born this year.
6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-2, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.57, ft, 2 1/4 lengths.
ORNELLAIA, f, 2, Girvin
1st Dam: Scarlet Dixie, by Broken Vow
2nd Dam: Chiming Dixie, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Chimes, by Mr. Prospector
Sales History: $180,000 Wlg ’23 KEENOV; $240,000 Ylg ’24 KEESEP; $1,100,000 2yo ’25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Amo Racing USA LLC and Marxer, Mark; B-Twin Oaks Bloodstock (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
