Challenge


Sudden Separation Looks For A Fifth Stakes Win In Merial Distaff
Trainer Larry Sharp grazes his stakes winner Sudden Separation on the backside at Lone Star Park

© Andrea Caudill/AQHA Racing
Sudden Separation Looks For A Fifth Stakes Win In Merial Distaff

By Andrea Caudill

Q-RACING JOURNAL—NOVEMBER 6, 2015—Sudden Separation is likely to be one of the favorites in the $126,500 Merial Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) on Saturday, and with good reason. The 4-year-old daughter of Inseperable has had an incredible year, winning five races – including four stakes – by daylight every time.

The stakes wins began with the Golden Driller Stakes at Fair Meadows and include the Keokuk Stakes (G3) over a field with Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) contender Mister Big, and the Merial Prairie Meadows Distaff Challenge over fellow Distaff Championship contender Send Me This Wagon. To date she has won or placed in nine of 13 starts and has earnings of $81,047.

She has overcome a lot to get to where she is. When she was a 2-year-old, she came down with pigeon fever, a severe bacterial infection that causes painful intramuscular and internal abscesses. Her connections were patient with her, though, allowing her to take the time she needed to heal and fully recover, leading to her rather sudden appearance on the stakes scene this year.

“It ended up being quite a deal with her, but it’s paying off now,” said trainer Larry Sharp. “This year she started off really well. I started her at a claiming price (this spring) to get her mind on winning, and she just went up the ladder for us. She’s a neat little mare.”v Sudden Sensation is easy to handle and haul, and understands her job on the track.

“She just does her job, sticks her nose in that V and leaves,” he said.

Sudden Separation is a homebred for Duane Murphy of Aurora, Missouri, and comes from the breeding program of Sharp’s Barley & Sharp Farm. Murphy also raced Sudden Separation’s dam, Okie Dokey Annie, the winner of the 2006 Kansas Futurity (G2) and 2007 Central Distaff Challenge and earner of $94,773.

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