Informed Decision

Background

Ventura is a gray mare who was bred by Charles Kidder and Nancy Cole in Kentucky. She is sired by Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos, becoming his first Grade I winner. Her dam is Palangana, by His Majesty. She was sold at the 2006 Keeneland yearling sale for $150,000, then was resold at the Fasig-Tipton sale as a two-year-old for $320,000. She was trained by Jonathan E. Sheppard and owned by George W. Strawbridge, Jr.'s Augustin Stable.

Racing career

Informed Decision did not start racing until age three, but won in her first start on January 3, 2008 at Gulfstream Park. She finished the year with five wins from seven starts, including the Grade II Raven Run Stakes.

At age four, she won six of seven starts, including the Grade I Humana Distaff Handicap and Vinery Madison Stakes. Her only loss of the year came in the Ballerina Stakes on a sloppy track. On November 6, 2009, she entered the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, where she was the second betting choice behind defending champion Ventura. Informed Decision got the early jump on her rival, then withstood Ventura's late charge to win by over a length. For her performances in 2009, Informed Decision was voted the Eclipse Award as the American Champion Female Sprint Horse.

Ventura returned to racing at age five in 2010 but managed only three wins from eight starts. The highlights were wins in the Grade III Chicago Handicap and Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes. She finished seventh when attempting to defend her title in the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Retirement

Ventura became a broodmare in 2011, delivering her first foal, a bay colt by Street Cry, on March 11, 2012.