Brittlyn Stables' homebred Clearly a Test became the first black-type stakes winner for Louisiana stallion Clearly Now in capturing the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on the track's opening day of its winter/spring meet, Nov. 17.
Breaking from the inside in a field of 14 juvenile fillies, Clearly a Test overcame hitting the gate at the start. She rallied from sixth under Jose Guerrero, advancing along the rail before taken to the outside on the turn for her closing kick. The Shane Wilson trainee took command late and posted a 1 1/2-length victory over Tommie G, completing 5 1/2 furlongs on a "good" track in 1:06.95.
Out of the Star Guitar mare Testing One Two, she paid $5.20 to win as the favorite. Friday's race marked her first victory in four starts after recording a trio of fourth-place finishes this summer at Saratoga Race Course against open maidens. She has made $63,900.
Clearly Now
- The 13-year-old stands for a $2,500 fee next year at Clear Creek Stud in Folsom, La. Ahead of Clearly a Test, his top earner of 2023 is Clear as a Bele, a winner of two of five starts and $72,180.
- A son of Horse Greeley out of the Arch mare Bend, Clearly Now was a multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire who concluded his career racing in 2017 for Brittlyn Stables and trainer Ron Faucheux. He entered stud in 2018.
