Kilwin, Daughter of Twirling Candy, Overcomes Trouble to Upset in G1 Test at Saratoga

BN Racing’s Filly Showcases Her Versatility with Upset Victory in Centennial Running of the G1

Kilwin Finishes Strong in the Clear to Seal Career-Best Victory / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- In just her second start on dirt and after a stumble at the break that looked to take her out of contention, Kilwin (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Spanish Star, by Blame) dug deep to deliver the most important win of her young career in a dramatic renewal of the G1 Test Stakes, which celebrated its 100th running Saturday at Saratoga, offering a purse of $500,000.

Racing in the colors of BBN Racing, trained by Rusty Arnold and confidently handled by José Ortiz, the daughter of Twirling Candy, one of the top sons of Argentine champion Candy Ride, dropped back to last early in the field of eight sophomore fillies. She made steady progress on the far turn and swept past the leaders down the center of the track, collaring fellow closer Ragtime (Union Rags) late to prevail by a neck in 1:23.10 for seven furlongs.

“It wasn’t exactly how we drew it up,” admitted Arnold. “When I saw her stumble at the break, I thought it was over. Even José told me he was just hoping we could get third and earn some black-type. But the way she came back—it was incredible.”

While favored stablemate Echo Sound (Echo Town) dueled early with Me and Molly McGee (Vekoma), Kilwin sat roughly seven lengths behind the leaders down the backstretch. The field began to bunch into the far turn, and when Ragtime found daylight outside, Ortiz followed suit, knowing he was tracking the right horse.

“I followed Junior [Alvarado] because I could see his filly was traveling so well,” said Ortiz. “By the time we hit the turn, I knew I had a shot. I saved ground, waited for the right moment, and when I asked her, Kilwin gave me that kick I was hoping for.”

Alvarado, aboard Ragtime—making her stakes debut after back-to-back wins—had no complaints. “My filly gave it everything. We had the perfect trip, saved ground, tipped out at the right time. Honestly, I couldn’t believe we got beat after what happened to Kilwin at the break,” he said.

Beauty Reigns (Into Mischief) finished 3 3/4 lengths back in third, followed by Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro), Cash Call (McKinzie), Echo Sound, Artisma (Munnings), and Me and Molly McGee, who unfortunately sustained a laceration to a hind leg just past the wire and was vanned off to Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for further evaluation.

Kilwin was making just her second start on dirt, having taken the unlisted Leslie’s Lady Stakes at Churchill Downslast out. Prior to that, she had campaigned exclusively on turf, winning the Untapable Stakes at Kentucky Downs and finishing second in the G3 [Race Name] behind rising star Shisospicy (Mitole).

She is expected to return to turf for her next start in the G2 Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6, which carries a $2 million purse, half of which is funded by the KTDF.

Bred in Kentucky by Gilder-Schwarz Farms, Kilwin improved her record to 7-4-1-0 and pushed her earnings to $558,450. She returned $14.40 on a $2 win ticket.

Beyond her burgeoning race résumé, Kilwin also boasts a standout pedigree. She is a half-sister to G2 winner and millionaire One Timer (Trappe Shot) and G1-placed Just Basking (Arrogate). Her dam, Spanish Star, is a half-sister to 2019 G1 Belmont Stakes hero Sir Winston (Awesome Again), and her second dam La Gran Bailadora (Afleet Alex) was also G1-placed.