Enchanting Lisa strikes for War Chant

Yarradale Stud shuttler War Chant sired one of the most striking maiden winners in the USA this year when Enchanting Lisa routed her rivals at Presque Island Downs on Wednesday.

Enchanting Lisa (3f War Chant – Lisa Danielle by Wolf Power) won by 7 lengths on debut without any encouragement from Pablo Morales.  A big, strapping filly, she was the $3 morning line favourite after several sparkling work-outs at Keeneland.

Trainer Charles LoPresti sent her to the Lake Erie shoreline for an easy kill over 1670 metres and the result was never in doubt.  After a perfect trip behind the leaders, she opened up with such authority the course broadcaster called her home with the comment, “She looks like a champion!”

The War Chant filly is bred to be a champion.  Her older half-brother Wise Dan was named 2012 USA Horse of the Year after a stellar campaign that climaxed with a course-record victory over Animal Kingdom in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Wise Dan was voted Champion Male Turf Horse, Champion Older Male and the Horse of the Year, a trio of awards which had not been won in one year since John Henry did it in 1981.

This year, Wise Dan opened up with G1 victories in the Maker’s Mile at Keeneland and Woodford Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day.  He has now won five consecutive Group1 events and will start next in either the G2 Firecracker Hcp at Churchill Downs on June 29 or the G1 Whitney Hcp at Saratoga on August 3.

LoPresti indicated Enchanting Lisa will join her star stablemate as part of his Saratoga team.  The Spa fully caters for three year-old fillies during its summer season from July 19 to September 2.

War Chant (USA) has sired 316 individual winners at a 70% strike-rate.  He is a son of Danzig and will return to Yarradale for his third southern season this year at a $16,000 (plus gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson