Eclipse Poised for Humongous Weekend Highlighted by Silsita in G1, $1 Million Kentucky Oaks
When Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners was launched 18 months ago, company President, Aron Wellman made it part of his mission to create a stable competing at the highest level the sport has to offer. With 5 Graded Stakes wins on the company’s docket and 11 overall Stakes wins, the Eclipse stable has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in various divisions across the country.
Having seen 4 of its’ stable members compete in Breeders’ Cup Championship races the past 2 renewals of the championship weekend and several dozen Graded Stakes competitors winning and hitting the frame, the baby blue and black have now arrived on the world’s largest stage with a quartet of runners set to line up at Churchill Downs over the course of the Oaks and Derby weekend.
The first runner of the weekend will be Judy In Disguise in the $150,000 Edgewood Stakes. The diminutive filly will be accompanied by Hall of Famer, Mike Smith. Next up will be Patrioticandproud, who will essay the Grade 2, $300,000 Alysheba with the hottest jockey on the planet in the tack, Joel Rosario. The main event on Friday is the Grade 1, $1 million Kentucky Oaks and Eclipse will be represented by Silsita. Hall of Fame rider, Gary Stevens, has the call. Then, on Derby Day Saturday, the company’s flagship filly, Byrama, will seek top honors in the Grade 1, $300,000 Humana Distaff. High-riding Rosario will be the pilot.
Wellman said, “We’re very proud to bring 4 Stakes winning horses to Churchill Downs to compete in major races on the biggest weekend of the season. The best of the best are here and we expect to make our presence felt with competitive performances on the racetrack while providing our partners with a taste of the elite racing scene and lifestyle experience which goes with it.”