Yahilwa sharp in G3 Sixty Sails Handicap

Five-year-old Medaglia d'Oro mare Yahilwa took charge April 18 in the G3 Sixty Sails Handicap to become the latest Graded Stakes winner in what has been a tremendous year for Medaglia d'Oro.

In the 1800m race at Hawthorne, Yahilwa was in tight quarters between horses, just off the pace in fourth. Positioned in second entering the far turn, the mare took aim at the lead at the top of the stretch and kicked on down the lane for a commanding win.

Bred by Avalon Farms, Inc., Yahilwa is out of the Smart Strike mare Verbanella, a half-sister to the dam of multiple Graded Stakes winner Elaborate. The filly hails from the family of Champion and G1 winner Smart Angle.

Graded Stakes winners just keep coming for Medaglia d'Oro in 2015. The sire has now been represented by eight Group or Graded Stakes winners this year including G1 Golden Slipper victor Vancouver, G1 Gulfstream Turf Park Handicap victor Mshawish and G3 Manfred Stakes winner Java. Medaglia d'Oro enjoyed a tremendous Inglis Easter yearling sale where he had a colt and a filly sell for $550,000 and he averaged $425,000 for his seven lots sold.