We are always excited to celebrate a maiden-breaking win, and today we are doubly so! Carl and Yurie Pascarella’s RUE CAMBON got her first victory at Delaware Park this afternoon. She did it going 1 1/2 miles on the turf, and she did it with one of our own in the saddle. Kevin Lundie, who rides out for us in the mornings, scored his first U.S. win with that terrific effort.

Kevin and Rue Cambon paired up in the filly’s last start, a maiden special going 9 furlongs on the grass at Delaware on June 22; they finished second in what was her best finish to that point. They clearly had the measure of each other today with a very well-timed and smartly ridden race. Happy to settle toward the back two-to-three wide between rivals early, they began their move on the far turn, moving to the inside. “Eased out by the quarter pole…made a bid and edged clear in the furlong grounds to prove best under a drive.” (And I’m sure I wasn’t the only member of Team Herringswell who was screeching at the TV at that point…..)

A Kentucky homebred for Mr. & Mrs. Pascarella, Rue Cambon is a 3-year-old daughter of Blame from Songs and Sonnets, by Unbridled’s Song. Songs and Sonnets is from a wonderful Pin Oak Stud family; she is out of Pin Oak’s Bedanken (Geri – Danka, by Strawberry Road [AUS]), a multiple graded stakes winner of $539,629.

This win gave the whole barn a charge today. As Anita Motion said, “Kevin is always positive and upbeat, dedicated with an excellent work ethic. He cycles to and from work every day!” It was great to watch him rewarding Rue Cambon as they made their way back to the winner’s circle – always one of our very  favorite things to see.

Kevin thanked all of us for our continued support, saying “She ran huge for me!”

So today we invite you to toast Rue Cambon, the Pascarellas, and Kevin Lundie!!