Vekoma filly overwhelms foes in maiden special weight romp

September 4, 2024

Praying cruising to victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis - Coady photography — Praying cruising to victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis – Coady photography

Praying left her competition far behind in her seven-length maiden special weight win Sept. 4 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, going gate to wire in the 5 ½-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies

Praying is the 18^th winner for Vekoma, which leads all First-Crop sires of 2024. He is also tied for the top spot with four stakes horses to date and will have a chance to add to his stakes totals on Sept. 8 with Viggiedal in the $1 million Untapable S. and Forged Steel in the $1 million Juvenile Mile, both at Kentucky Downs.

Praying exerted her superiority from the outset of Wednesday’s race. She was up a length in the first furlong and widened her margin at every point of call all the way to the finish line, winning under a hand ride.

The winner is owned by Jeff Prunzik and sold for $410,000 at the OBS Spring 2-year-old sale in April. The dark bay was bred in Kentucky by Jeff Kerber and is a half-sister to the Grade 1-placed Omaha Beach filly Alys Beach.