Cedillo's well-judged ride helps Laura's Light take Honeymoon Stakes

Laura’s Light gave jockey Abel Cedillo his second graded stakes win on turf in the last week in Saturday’s Grade 3 Honeymoon Handicap at Santa Anita, reaching the finish in time to hold off late threats from Stela’s Star and Croughavouke.

Laura’s Light was Cedillo’s first win on Saturday’s card with his fifth mount of the day. The way Cedillo has been riding of late that nearly qualifies as a late May slump. Cedillo, 31, had three wins last Sunday, four on Monday, and two on Friday, a span that included an upset victory in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes on Monday with Keeper Ofthe Stars.

Cedillo gave Laura’s Light a patient ride that was vital to her success in the $101,500 race for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Laura’s Light stalked runaway pacesetter Parkour to early stretch before taking the lead in the final furlong. Laura’s Light was fully extended to hold off 9-5 favorite Stela’s Star, who closed well on the inside through the stretch, and 11-1 Croughavouke, who rallied wide.

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Laura’s Light ($6.60) finished a neck in front of Stela’s Star who was a neck in front of Croughavouke in the field of eight. Laura’s Light was timed in 1:49.02 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 81.

When Parkour sped off under jockey Mike Smith, setting early fractions of 23.26 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.98 for a half-mile, Cedillo was content keeping Laura’s Light in second. Parkour led by as many as 10 lengths on the backstretch.

“If Mike tried to take the lead, I was going to let him take the lead and try get her to relax,” Cedillo said of Laura’s Light. “That worked.”

Parkour faded from contention in the final furlong. The stretch run was the subject of an inquiry, with the stewards focusing on whether Stela’s Star interfered with fourth-place finisher Red Lark. There was no change to the order of finish.

Red Lark was followed by Guitty, K P Dreamin, Parkour, and Fashion Royalty. Little Bird was withdrawn early Saturday.

Laura’s Light, by Constitution, has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $214,370. Owned by Gary Barber and trained by Peter Miller, Laura’s Light won two turf stakes during the winter at Santa Anita – the Blue Norther Stakes at a mile in December and the Grade 3 Sweet Life Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs in February.

Laura’s Light was fourth as the 9-10 favorite in the Bourbonette Oaks on the synthetic track at Turfway Park on March 14 prior to the Honeymoon, the longest race of her career.