West Point Thoroughbreds scored its second stakes win in a week with the combination of jockey Manny Franco and trainer Miguel Clement when Bandiagara rallied to prevail in the Penn Oaks on Friday night in her North American debut. The 3-year-old filly was imported from France last fall.
The previous weekend, Intricate Spirit sped to victory in the Paradise Creek Stakes at the Big A for the same connections.
Bandiagara was listed at 9-to-5 on the morning line but she drifted up to 6-to-1 at post time. She collared the heavy favorite Final Accord in the stretch, rushing home with a final quarter in 22 4/5 on firm turf at Penn National racecourse in Grantville, Pennsylvania.
She expands the list of successful European imports for West Point, joining Grade 2 winners Kertez and Parnac, stakes winners Atomic Blonde and Pascaline and Graded stakes runners Chipolata and Stretch Ride.
West Point campaigns Bandiagara in a racing partnership with Madaket Stable, Kisber Racing and Bill Strauss.
