Kilwin, a 3-year-old filly by Twirling Candy, overcame a difficult start in the 100th running of the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on August 2, rallying from last place to win by a neck over Ragtime. Ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz and trained by George R. Arnold II, Kilwin’s victory earned her over $1 million in career earnings. Despite trailing by nearly 12 lengths early, Kilwin’s strong finish secured the $500,000 prize, with stablemate Echo Sound, the race favorite, fading to sixth. Kilwin is owned by BBN Racing LLC and bred by Gilder-Schwarz Farms in Kentucky.
Kilwin’s pedigree includes sire Twirling Candy, who stands at Lane’s End for $60,000, and dam Spanish Star, a Blame mare with a strong record of producing winners. BBN Racing, co-owned by Braxton Lynch, Brian Klatsky, and Brendan O’Brien, has had success with other Twirling Candy offspring, including Concrete Rose. Trainer Arnold plans to run Kilwin next on turf in the $2 million Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs. The article also notes an injury to another filly, Me and Molly McGee, who was pulled up during the race and treated for a splint bone fracture.
