Arapahoe: Lucci's Prize reaches wire first by nose in Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Oaks

Lucci’s Prize edged 3-5 favorite Renee’s Passion in the late stages for a nose win in the $40,000 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Oaks at Arapahoe Park on Saturday. It was another 3 1/2 lengths back in third to Cruz’n West.

Lucci’s Prize ($16.80) and Renee’s Passion were always prominent in the mile-and-70-yard race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Colorado, rolling through fractions of 24.36 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.46 for the half-mile, and 1:12.71 for six furlongs. Lucci’s Prize covered the distance on a track rated fast in 1:44.78.

Russell Vicchrilli was aboard for trainer Cole Jackson. The win was the first in a stakes for Lucci’s Prize, who has now won 2 of 7 starts and $48,686. She is a daughter of the Salt Lake stallion R W’s Prize, and she races for her breeder, Willard Burbach.

Purse doubled for Classic

Arapahoe Park announced Saturday night that it has boosted the purse of the Arapahoe Park Classic, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up Aug. 11, to $100,000. The race had been worth $50,000. Nominations to the race will close on Aug. 4.

The purse spike is attributed to an 11 percent increase in handle this meet. The track also announced it will increase the purse of all overnight races $1,000 each beginning on Friday. It is the second boost to overnight purses this meet at Arapahoe.