Ian Parsard, the trainer of Amma, is filled with optimism following her win on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
The three-year-old bay filly, under the guidance of jockey Raddesh Roman, delivered a commanding performance that suggests she may be a contender in the upcoming Classic series.
Despite a less-than-stellar final time of 1:28.1 in the seven-furlong maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds, Amma's 11-length victory over her competitors did not go unnoticed. Her debut on January 27, 2024, resulted in a third-place finish, but her latest race demonstrated a significant step forward, hinting at her potential for future success.
“This was the second time out, and we were really hoping for an improvement from the first run, which was really a filler for Blu Sensation. She came back and worked well for this race,” Parsard said.
Parsard's anticipation of Amma's outside chance of winning transformed into a reality as the filly showed "encouraging improvement."
Amma's pedigree was a topic of discussion, with Parsard highlighting her lineage, “She is a full sister to Blue Vinyl, who is a double Classic winner, so you always hope that line will show quality, and she showed very good improvement today, so that is something to be encouraged about."
The race unfolded with Amma swiftly moving to the front, establishing an early lead and maintaining a steady pace. It wasn't until the half-mile mark that she attempted to quicken her stride, responding to Roman's cues with a burst of speed that solidified her win.
Kaylyn Melody, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, secured second place, followed by Brenda Boy with Omar Walker in third.
Parsard revealed plans to grant Amma a brief respite after her consecutive races, acknowledging her inclination for longer distances and strategizing for the future, “We will give her a chance to get herself back together, and we will take it one step at a time. The real Classic races are further in the year... so we will take our time step by step,” he concluded.
Amma's impressive performance has certainly set the stage for what could be a thrilling racing season, with her team eagerly watching her development as a potential Classic series competitor.
