Expect Royalty pulls away to win Lane's End Stallion Scholarship
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Expect Royalty won her sixth race from her last seven starts Saturday night at Lone Star Park, where she pulled clear by 3 1/4 lengths in the $50,000 Lane’s End Stallion Scholarship Stakes. My Silver Lullaby finished second, while it was another three-quarters of a length back in third to I Am Jane Dough.
The Lane’s End was for Texas-bred fillies and mares, and it complemented an on-track banquet during which the Texas Thoroughbred Association honored its champions from 2014. Fiftyshadesofgold took home the highest honor, Texas-bred Horse of the Year.
Expect Royalty ($3) stalked the pace in third in the 7 1/2-furlong turf race as Best Bling set fractions of 23.67 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.05 for the half-mile while pushed along by Lasting Bubbles. Expect Royalty moved in on the leaders three wide on the final turn, took over in the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on firm ground in 1:29.24.
Iram Diego rode the winner for Leroy Pollok, who bred, owns, and trains Expect Royalty. The goal was to sit just off the pace, said longtime regular rider Diego.
“That was our plan, and thank god, everything worked out,” Diego said. “She’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. I’ve been blessed to ride this nice filly.”
Expect Royalty won four consecutive races, including two stakes, during a streak that started in a Lone Star Park allowance last July. It continued through the $50,000 San Jacinto in January at Sam Houston Race Park. Expect Royalty then ran third in the $50,000 Tomball in January at Sam Houston before returning to the winner’s circle in her next start, which came in a Lone Star allowance May 2.
“She’s amazing,” Pollok said. “I tell you what. Every time I go run her, the field is always tough, and I say, ‘Dear god, help me one more time,’ and he does. I’m pretty proud of her. She does everything right. She makes me look pretty good.”
Expect Royalty earned $30,000 for the win, which was her eighth career victory from 15 starts. She now has earned $173,010. Expect Royalty is a 5-year-old mare by Valid Expectations.
Lone Star handled $1,069,060 on its nine-race card from all sources Saturday.