She popped out of the gate and skipped to the right just a bit, but 2-year-old ESSAOUIRA corrected quickly and was on her way to her maiden-breaking win with Angel Suarez aboard at Delaware Park this afternoon. They sat just off leader Mo Bills throughout the one mile and 70 yards maiden special weight, collaring that one at the 3/4 pole for a brief duel before pulling away to win by 4 1/2 lengths.

Her first start was three weeks ago at Saratoga going 5 /2 furlongs on the grass; she finished third in a field of ten fillies. The turf-to-dirt stretchout clearly suited her today, as she galloped ears-up under the wire.

Al Shaqab Racing bred and owns the daughter of Super Saver out of Eden’s Moon, by Malibu Moon. Congratulations to them on today’s win!