February 23, 2019 – Irish Hustle stalked the early pace in an off-the-turf Maiden Special contest at Fair Grounds before surging to a 2 1/4 length victory.
Breaking well from post 3 under Adam Beschizza, Irish Hustle sat just off early leader Bellamy Cay through fractions of :24.59, :48.79 and 1:14.34. Beschizza gave Irish Hustle her cue rounding the far turn and the filly responded quickly. Entering the lane she was 1 1/lengths in front and, with steady guidance from Beschizza, Irish Hustle repelled a late challenge from favored Emily Jo.
The final time for the one-mile affair was 1:41.97 over a drying-out Fair Grounds surface officially labelled as fast.
A 3-year-old filly by the Grade 1-winning War Front son Data Link, Irish Hustle was secured for $65,000 by Mike Recio’s Rockbridge Bloodstock at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Florida Two-Year-Old in Training Sale. The purchase was made in conjunction with her trainer Bret Calhoun on behalf of Martin Racing.
While most of the FT-Florida entrants fully breezed during the under tack shows, Irish Hustle put in spirited gallop (watch below). Her smooth motion, high energy and classy demeanor caught the attention of both Recio and Calhoun who teamed up to pursue the filly.
Irish Hustle is the second winner from as many starters produced by the Perfect Soul mare Rahfees Fairy, a half-sister to the graded stakes-winning sprinter Tasteyville. Her third dam is the fantastic Fox Ridge Farm producer Toll Fee.
South Point Sales & Rockbridge Bloodstock 