Essential Quality’s White Smoke Comes From The Clouds In New Orleans

[Wandering Eyes]

White Smoke (f, 2, Essential Quality–Mira Alta, by Curlin), whose barn already celebrated when first-time starter Golden Tempo (Curlin) was named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', after winning the third race on the card in New Orleans, was backed by the betting public as the 8-5 choice for her unveiling here.

The filly was left at the gate by the field, which put her at a distinct disadvantage up the backstretch. Seemingly out of it around the far turn, the 2-year-old was able to get back into the race by chewing up ground and at the quarter pole she positioned herself to make a run down the center of the course.

The gray took aim at new leader Gerber Daisy (Twirling Candy), collared her target by the sixteenth marker and completed the remarkable trip with a length victory.

Hailing from an extended female family which includes champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind (Curlin), the winner is a half-sister to War Stopper (Declaration of War), GSP, $242,806, Wicked Awesome (Awesome Again), SW & GSP, $294,460 and Promise Keeper (Constitution), GSW, $457,610.

A half-sister to GISW Great Hunter (Aptitude), plus the dam of MGSW Owendale (Into Mischief) and GSW Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief), unraced Mira Alta is also responsible for a yearling colt by Flightline who was sent to Japan this year, and a weanling filly by that same sire. She was bred to Nyquist for next season.

White Smoke is the 19th winner for her freshman sire (by Tapit).

4th-Fair Grounds, $55,000, Msw, 12-20, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.04, ft, 1 length.
WHITE SMOKE, f, 2, Essential Quality–Mira Alta, by Curlin
Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $33,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Belladonna Racing LLC, Twin Brook Stables, Woodford Racing LLC and B.C.W.T. Ltd.; B-Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux.

WHITE SMOKE ($5.20) blows past the field to win on debut at @fairgroundsnola. Back-to-back victories for @jose93_ortiz & @reredevaux. The 2YO Essential Quality (@DarleyAmerica) filly is owned by @BelladonnaRaci1, Twin Brook Stables, @woodfordracing & B.C.W.T. Ltd. pic.twitter.com/ld9w7Mykg0

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 20, 2025

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