TURNING ON THE HEAT IN THE
MATRIARCH
HEAT HAZE (the Green Desert, three-parts sister to DANSILI) staked her claim on champion turf mare honours with a last-to-first move in the Matriarch S Gr.1 at Hollywood Park. The 14 horse field packed plenty of star quality with no less than six Graded/Group 1 stakes winners in the line-up; 2002 and 2003 Gr1 Prix de la Foret winners Decication (Fr) and Etoile Montante; Musical Chimes victorious in the 2003 Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches; Gr1 Alabama S heroine Island Fashion and defending Matriarch champion Dress To Trill.
HEAT HAZE previously won the Gr.1 Beverly D at Arlington in August. Last of the 14 runners in the early part of the race, HEAT HAZE had a tremendous amount of ground to make up. Her jockey Velazquez commented “We had a perfect trip. We had to come from last, but I just wanted to wait and bide my time to find room. Once she got through, she really punched hard.”
Date:
1 December 2003