Swilcan Stable LLC and LC Racing may have another star on their hands after Mainstay’s eye-popping 7 3/4-length debut maiden special weight victory Friday afternoon at Monmouth Park. The stunning win earned the filly the coveted “TDN Rising Star” tag.
The 2-year-old filly, who became the first winner for freshman sire Astern (AUS), is a half-sister to Swilcan’s 2020 Champion 2-year-old Filly Vequist.
Trained by Butch Reid, Mainstay broke well and took the lead in the first furlong. Full of run the entire way, she was up two lengths coming into the stretch, then powered clear to win as easy as she pleased.
The final time for the 4 1/2-furlongs over the sloppy going was :52.59.
“She has been training lights out,” said Reid of the homebred filly. “She’s much more of a sprinter than Vequist was, so we knew she would be good early. It’s been fantastic. We had thought about trying her in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park (on Thursday) but we took the more conservative route and I’m glad we did.”
Reid said it was too early to state his filly’s next start, but said the Schulyerville S. (G3) on July 15 at Saratoga is under consideration.
Mainstay is out of Swilcan’s top-class mare Vero Amore, who has produced four winners from as many starters. Vero Amore placed second in the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) and a pair of listed events while earning $252,255.