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Twilight Gleaming Eyes Ascot After Mamzelle Victory

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) winner scores in her second start of 2022.

Twilight Gleaming (yellow cap) prevails in the Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs

Twilight Gleaming (yellow cap) prevails in the Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs

Coady Photography

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) winner Twilight Gleaming will likely join trainer Wesley Ward's dynamic Royal Ascot-bound arsenal after her front-running victory in the May 14 $114,500 Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The Mamzelle, a five-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-old fillies, was the feature event on a special 11-race Downs After Dark card, which drew an attendance of 14,627.

Breaking from post position 5, Twilight Gleaming went to her knees under Tyler Gaffalione when the gates opened but lost only a length to her rivals before jetting to the front. Racing from the two-path into the turn, she clocked the first quarter mile in :22.35 with Artos glued to her flank. At the top of the stretch, the National Defense filly hit a new gear, kicking clear to a 1 1/2-length advantage. After a half-mile in :45.88, Devine Charger and a re-rallying Artos launched late bids on the outside, nearly catching Twilight Gleaming at the wire.

Twilight Gleaming ($2.60) held on by a head over Devine Charger, who nosed out Artos for second. The time was :58.22 on a course rated as firm.

"Tyler said she stumbled a little bit going out of the gate but she was able to establish things on the front end," Ward said. "The Palisades was her first race without blinkers, but I thought she was able to relax better without them. We'll talk things over, but I'd say sending her back to Royal Ascot would be a logical next step."

The Mamzelle was the second start of the year for Twilight Gleaming. The Stonestreet Stables color bearer made her 3-year-old debut last month in the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland against males, where she was narrowly defeated as the 4-5 favorite by Slipstream. Last year, the Irish-bred filly broke her maiden at second asking during the Belmont Park spring meet before running second in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Ascot. She then captured the listed Prix de la Vallee d'Auge at Deauville Racecourse in France.

Saturday's victory was worth $55,366 and increased Twilight Gleaming's earnings to $721,867 with a record of 7-4-3-0.

Bred by Pier House Stud, Twilight Gleaming is out of the unraced Dansili (GB) mare Thames Pageant, the dam of two winners from three offspring to race. Thames Pageant has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Sioux Nation named Spartan Arrow and a Phoenix of Spain yearling filly.

Agent Ben McElroy signed the ticket on Twilight Gleaming for $96,931 at the 2020 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale from the Pier House Stud consignment.

Video: Mamzelle Overnight S. (BT)