CT: God's Pride notches stakes win in My Sister Pearl * The Racing Biz

CT: God’s Pride notches stakes win in My Sister Pearl

Holds off Cavada winner Zip Start

The Biz
November 15, 2026

God’s Pride had never raced beyond seven furlongs or won a stakes race entering Saturday night’s $75,000 My Sister Pearl Stakes at Charles Town. Turns out those factors posed no problem.

The 3-year-old daughter of Upstart turned back a determined challenge from Cavada winner Zip Start to win the 1 1/8-mile contest for West Virginia-bred fillies and mares by a nose, giving owner-breeder-trainer Timothy Collins a stakes victory and continuing an impressive first campaign.

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Get tickets now!

Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite under Moises Santaella, God’s Pride overcame a bump at the start and settled in fifth early as Petty Perfect established the pace through fractions of 24.59 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.24 for the half.

God’s Pride advanced four wide approaching the far turn, took command around the bend, and opened a half-length advantage entering the stretch.

But Zip Start, the 7-2 second choice, wasn’t finished.

The Jeff Runco trainee, who had been bottled up behind the tiring pacesetter approaching the quarter pole, found room, angled four wide, and quickly accelerated to challenge God’s Pride. The two battled through the final sixteenth, with God’s Pride refusing to yield and prevailing in a photo finish.

The winner completed the nine furlongs in 1:55.82 on a fast track and returned $3.00 to win.

Zip Start, ridden by Arnaldo Bocachica, finished 2 1/2 lengths ahead of third-place Skie’s Music, another Collins trainee. Petty Perfect faded to fourth after setting the pace.

The victory was the fifth in nine career starts for God’s Pride, who has also finished second twice and third once while earning $158,379.

Bred in West Virginia by Collins, God’s Pride is out of the Distorted Humor mare Funny Pepper.

She began her career with a 4 3/4-length maiden victory in March and has steadily climbed the class ladder. In August, she rallied to win a state-bred allowance by 1 3/4 lengths before finishing second to the very talented At a Premium in the $67,000 West Virginia Lottery Breeders Classic on October 10.

She entered Saturday’s race off perhaps her most impressive performance, a 10 1/2-length allowance romp October 29 in which she earned a career-best 83 Beyer Speed Figure.

Saturday’s win was her first stakes triumph and came in her first attempt around three turns at Charles Town. It also marked her third victory in her last four starts, with the lone defeat coming in the West Virginia Lottery Breeders’ Classic.

God’s Pride earned $45,720 for the victory, while Zip Start collected $15,240.

Eight runners contested the My Sister Pearl after the scratches of Bully’s Notion, Juba’s Parade, and Zero Degrees.