Plum Ali Returns to Winner's Circle in Winter Memories

Plum Ali asserted herself back to the win column, snapping a seven-race losing streak with a knockout performance in the $150,000 Winter Memories Stakes Nov. 14 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The Christophe Clement trainee, who returned to the winner's circle for the first time since winning her first three races, displayed new tactics in the 1 1/16-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies. She found herself on the front end maintaining command throughout, capturing a third career stakes win by three-quarters of a length under Manny Franco. Franco hustled his filly out of post 2 while expected pacesetter Gam's Mission stumbled at the start and lost position. Plum Ali led the field into the first turn by a half-length through an opening quarter-mile in :23.77 over a turf course rated good. Plum Ali remained relaxed up front through a half-mile in :49.72 while positions remained unchanged down the backstretch. Around the far turn, through three quarters in 1:15.28, Franco nudged his charge slightly and, with right-handed encouragement, the First Samurai filly widened her margin to two lengths at the stretch call. Plum Ali continued to find more in the final furlong as White Frost and Miss Dracarys battled for second, completing the journey in a final time of 1:45.11. She returned $11.20 for a $2 win wager. White Frost, who was making her first start since capturing the Sweetest Chant Stakes (G3T) in January at Gulfstream Park, garnered the place spot a nose to the better of Miss Dracarys. Clement said the plan was for Plum Ali to be in the top flight of runners. "The idea was to be forwardly-placed and she ran very well," said Clement. "(Franco) gave her a great ride. She's been very unlucky and the filly deserved this. The idea was to be 1-2-3 and, if possible, on the lead. If anybody took us on, then sit second or third. Nobody took them on and when I saw the :49 and change and 1:15, I knew she was going to be pretty tough. She's a very nice horse." Franco said he felt confident in the second half of the backstretch. "After we broke like that, I wasn't thinking to take back. If they wanted to take the lead, they would have to go faster than me," Franco said. "In the second part of the race, they let me slow down the pace and that was it. She handled it really well. "She's been really unlucky but today she deserved this. I'm really happy for Christophe and the owners." Plum Ali, owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Michael Caruso, enhanced her lifetime earnings to $676,000 through a record of 4-1-1 in 11 starts. She was a $65,000 purchase by Cromwell Bloodstock from Stone Farm's consignment to the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale Bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm, Plum Ali is out of the Stroll mare Skipping, who has a yearling full sister to Plum Ali as well as a Mastery colt born this year. Skipping was reported bred to Nyquist for 2022.