Treasure Beach’s first juvenile winner of 2020 is just blissful

Blissful Change became the 30th winner for Treasure Beach this year, and his first 2-year-old winner, with an eye-opening performance yesterday in a $36,000 maiden special at Indiana Grand.

The filly bred by Joe and Helen Barbazon, Ed Seltzer and Beverly Anderson was making just her second start after selling for $25,000 at the OBS March sale. Originally scheduled for one mile on the grass, the race was switched to the main track at a mile and 70 yards. Blissful Change broke on top with DeShawn Parker but she quickly dropped back to second and was content to push the leader down the backstretch.

Parker sent her up to take the lead turning for home, and she rebuffed a minor challenge from 7/5 favorite Pharoah’s Gold before drawing off with authority down the lane, winning by 9 1/4 widening lengths.

Blissful Change was clocked in 1:44.1, paid $6.20, and put $18,600 in the bank, which boosted Treasure Beach’s earnings to $839,343 as he continues his climb up the Florida general sire list; he’s now just $20,000 behind Big Drama for sixth place.