Montana Native had enjoyed a very successful 2013 racing season with victories in the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks in September preceded by a win in the Broom Dance Stakes at Saratoga in July. Purchased by Castleton Lyons at Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale later that year, this was her third run for new connections as the Christophe Clement trainee tackled 8 1/2 furlongs in the Winter Melody Stakes at Delaware Park yesterday. With Julian Pimentel in the irons the four-year-old filly broke swiftly to take command early and dominate the race from gate to wire, finishing a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths clear at the finish. Christophe was very pleased with her performance and expressed optimism that he may have found the key to her after her first two efforts for new connections. Montana Native returned back to his barn at Saratoga where he will plot a summer campaign for the earner of over $315,000 to date.
