Hoh Buzzard makes long trip worthwhile

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Ben Cecil thought it was worth sending Hoh Buzzard all the way from California for the Mrs. Revere Stakes, although "we were going to look like idiots if she didn't run any good," said Cecil.

Instead, Cecil and owner Gary Tanaka looked absolutely brilliant Saturday afternoon after Hoh Buzzard, ridden by Ryan Fogelsonger, led wire-to-wire in defeating 11 other 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 2, $175,650 at Churchill Downs.

Hoh Buzzard, an Irish-bred filly who was based in England before being purchased in August by Tanaka, was 20-1 on the morning line before being bet down to the 7-1 fifth choice. Now based in California with Cecil, she returned $16.80 after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.01 over yielding turf.

Aud, ridden by Brian Peck, made a sustained run in the final furlong before falling a neck short of catching the winner. Gamble to Victory, a 65-1 shot, finished third, while Casual Look, the 3-2 favorite under Pat Day, was fifth.

Hoh Buzzard turned back several challenges before Aud angled to the hedge for the drive. "She heard that other filly coming and said, 'No,' said Fogelsonger, the former Maryland standout now based in Southern California. "You've got to love it."

Cecil said Hoh Buzzard, now a winner in 5 of 12 career starts, "is probably finished for the year."