A FAMILY AFFAIR

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Intercontinental (GB) proved her talents could stand up to the rigors of Grade 1 company as she surged past stablemate Etoile Montante in the stretch to capture the $500,000 Matriarch Stakes (G1) on Sunday at Hollywood Park. After winning her first three starts
in the United States, Intercontinental finished fifth in the Diana Handicap (G1) on July 31 at Saratoga Race Course and second in the Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (G3) on September 29 at Santa Anita Park.

The four-year-old daughter of Danehill showed she was back in top form on Sunday, rating between foes down the backstretch while Hoh Buzzard (Ire) pressured Etoile Montante through fractions of :24 and :47.77. As the two front-runners battled to hold their positions through the stretch, Intercontinental angled out from behind Hoh Buzzard and charged past both of her rivals to lead a 1-2 Juddmonte sweep as she covered one mile in 1:35.87 over a firm turf. Dual Grade 1 winner Ticker Tape (GB), who was taking on older fillies and mares for the first time, made a brave charge on the extreme outside coming off the far turn and was beaten just a nose by runner-up Etoile Montante.

Date: 29 November 2004