Northfield, OH – Sangria Summer and driver Matt Kakaley took the lead on the first turn, fended off pressure from a parked-out Savage Cindy through three-quarters, and drew off from there to win Saturday’s (Oct. 10) $150,000 Grade 3 Courageous Lady Invitational, for 3-year-old female pacers, at Northfield Park.
Sangria Summer won by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:51.1 over a track labeled “good.” Perfect Thought finished second and Seaside Shuffle was third. Be Perfect BG, the 6-5 favorite, finished fourth.
Kakaley guided the Luc Blais-trained Sangria Summer through fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:22.1 on the way to the filly’s seventh victory in 14 races this season. She has won eight of 24 career starts and earned $503,935.
Sangria Summer, a daughter of Captaintreacherous-Shower Play, is owned by Determination stable. She was bred by Tara Hills Stud, Rene Dion, Susanne Kerwood, and Martin Leveillee.
Sent off as the 9-5 second choice, Sangria Summer paid $5.80 to win.