Golden Gate Debutante goes to late-running Eclair

Eclair, the lone member of the field with a stakes placing, had only one rival beaten at the eighth pole before unleashing a strong closing kick to win the $55,000 Golden Gate Debutante at Golden Gate Fields on Friday.

With morning-line favorite Misirlou and two other 2-year-old fillies scratched, the Bob Baffert-trained Eclair ($7.60), who shipped to Northern California for the first time, was favored until Mischievous Curlin, an impressive maiden winner over the track, was bet down in the final minutes.

Eclair sat in midpack down the backstretch as Habobanero took the lead while pressed by No Cover Charge. The eventual winner was unfazed as Mischievous Curlin made a quick early move past her and into contention. Habobanero began to fade in the stretch, giving way to No Cover Charge, who appeared on her way to victory before Juan Hernandez eased Eclair out to the four path and asked her to run.

“For a moment, it didn't look like [No Cover Charge] could get caught, but my filly changed leads and took off,” said Hernandez, who was named the Jockeys' Guild Jockey of the Week for Nov. 18-24 with 12 winners, the most of any American rider

Eclair, a daughter of Bernardini, responded immediately and began to gobble up rivals. With momentum on her side, she looked a winner even before sticking her head in front of No Cover Charge approaching the wire. She wound up winning by a neck, covering six furlongs in 1:10.30. Her time for the final eighth was 12.21 seconds.

“She was comfortable down the backside, and I was just waiting to make my move. I didn't want to go too wide early,” said Hernandez.

Eclair, who had run third in the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita, earned $30,500 for her first stakes victory. With two wins and two thirds in six starts, the $420,000 purchase now has career earnings of $75,191 for owners Sarah Kelly and Jane Wiltz.