SAN FRAN LADY NOTCHES 30TH CAREER WIN IN USA
Former Overport Lodge mare San Fran Lady continues to make her mark in North America as a 9YO to NZ time, and now a 10-year-old to Northern Hemisphere time.
The Live Or Die-Emcil mare scored at Dover Downs, Delaware, on January 31, leading throughout a $US6000 conditioned pace to win in 1:53.6 (10ths) for her first win in four starts in 2016.
San Fran Lady, warming up at Rangiora six years ago for the Mark Jones stable.
She gets a chance to further her record from the ace barrier in a $US8500 fillies and mares pace at Dover Downs on February 9 for the Steve Le Blanc stable.
San Fran Lady, bred by Frances and Max Bowden, won three of 16 NZ starts for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones, and continued to race successfully in Australia, before ending up in North America.
She won 15 times in Australia, paced 1:53 there and won the Group Three $30,00 Sky Super Sprint Final at Newcastle, in November 2010.
Six years on, San Fran Lady racked up her 30th career win from 102 starts with her latest Delaware success, taking her earnings to the equivalent of $NZ233,000.
She has lowered her lifetime mile best to 1:52 in North America.
San Fran Lady’s half-brothers, Union Buster (1:58.4) and Princeton (1:57.7), also furthered their careers in Australia after winning early in their careers for the Mark Jones stable.
Union Buster (by Union Guy) won 11 races and $A26,440 while racing in South Australia, while Princeton, racing as At Princeton in West Australia, has won 10 races and earned $A68,401.