On Saturday, March 23, 2024, Donovan Plummer's spirited thoroughbred, Midnight Flight, effortlessly outpaced her rivals.
Yet Plummer, a seasoned trainer, is cautiously optimistic about getting ahead of himself, despite Midnight Flight's dreams-inspiring performance.
Midnight Flight, a progeny of Midnight Hawk and Honeymoon, took the lead from the outset and maintained a commanding pace, culminating in a 6½-length triumph in the first division of the maiden condition race. The event, which showcased native-bred three-year-old fillies, spanned five furlongs round.
Midnight Flight's final time stood at 1:02.2, split times of 23.3 and 48.0, which may seem unremarkable to some, but not to Plummer. He is convinced that he's discovered a gem—a filly with the chops to challenge the Classic races, particularly where her peers are concerned.
"I am definitely thinking about the Classic races," Plummer shared with our correspondent. He continued, "When you have a horse like this you have to think about the Classic races. So when she goes up in class we will see what our opponents have to offer and we can take it from there."
Plummer further elaborated on the strategy moving forward. "All the fillies, they basically run almost one way and so it will come down to who has more class and pace. As you go further you train for the endurance races and see what is what."
As the race commenced, Midnight Flight, with jockey Phillip Parchment at the helm, seized an easy lead. Pressing on through the half-mile turn, she quickened the pace, leaving Lady Gobindia, ridden by Omar Walker, and Ruby’s Light, with Jerome Innis in the saddle, trailing in her wake.
In the final stretch, Midnight Flight maintained her robust stride all the way to the finish line, ultimately besting She’s Dallas Love, under Shane Richardson's guidance, and Princess Fianie, steered by Tevin Foster.
As Plummer and the racing community look ahead, all eyes are on Midnight Flight, whose recent display of dominance has sparked speculation about her potential in future Classics. With a trainer like Plummer at her side, the sky might just be the limit for this filly.
