Unbeaten La Traviata Goes Three for Three

26th August 2007

Exciting Johannesburg filly La Traviata (3f Johannesburg - Piedras Negras, by Unbridled) made it three wins from as many starts when she stepped up to Group Three company in the Victory Ride Stakes at Saratoga over six furlongs on Saturday.

She led throughout and thrashed the opposition in running clear to win by more than nine lengths in sizzling time of 1:09.78.

“There’s nothing much to say; she’s unbelievable,” said winning trainer Patrick Biancone.

“Today, she took the lead and relaxed. She was waiting for the ones to catch up to her. The plan is to do what we have done and that plan is to go the Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.”

La Traviata races for Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier and Derrick Smith, having caught the eye straight off the bat when highlighted by respected publication Thoroughbred Daily News as a ‘TDN Rising Star’, a tag well justified it would now seem.

La Traviata was purchased By Demi O’Byrne for $1.1 million at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Calder Select 2YO’s in Training Sale making her the most expensive filly sold at that sale.

Bred by J and M Antonelli, La Traviata is the first foal of the Unbridled mare Piedras Negras, an unraced half-sister to Group Three winner Jack Sullivan from the stakes-winning Devil’s Bag mare Provisions.

She is somewhat of a sale ring veteran having made $75,000 as a weanling at the 2004 Keeneland November Sale and then $112,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale in 2005 before her star turn at the two year old s in training sale.

La Traviata is one of ten stakes-winners worldwide for former champion two year-old Johannesburg, who is the second leading second crop sire in North America and was also the leading Australian first season sire by winner last season.