Velvet Beretta the first winner for Spendthrift Farm’s Cyberknife

Multiple Grade 1 winner Cyberknife was represented by his first winner on July 9 at Ellis Park when the 2-year-old filly Velvet Beretta tallied a sharp three-length maiden special weight victory at 5 ½-furlongs on the main track.

The chestnut filly, who was making her career debut for trainer Michel Douaihy, tracked in third while well off the inside rail down the backstretch and around the turn. With three furlongs to go, Velvet Beretta began an earnest move for the lead and took over from Summer Dream at the top of the stretch. Strong down the lane, Velvet Beretta drew clear of the field to win under a hand ride.

The winner is owned by the trainer’s Mana Racing and was bred in Kentucky by Stoneriggs Farm. Velvet Beretta is from the family of the multiple Grade One winner Critical Eye.

Cyberknife won both the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Haskell S. (G1) and was runner-up in the Travers S. (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) during a stellar 3-year-old campaign. Currently standing for $15,000 S&N, Cyberknife bred an average of 187 mares in his first three seasons at stud.