Key of Life dominates Purple Martin Stakes
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Key of Life was too much for the competition Saturday when she led throughout for a 3 1/4-length win over Socially Selective in the $150,000 Purple Martin at Oaklawn Park.
It was another 1 1/4 lengths back in third to 8-5 favorite Klassy Bridgette.
The Purple Martin was a six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies.
Key of Life ($7) jumped out to the lead at the start and put up fractions of 22.27 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.86 for the half-mile. She had more in the stretch, and covered the distance on a fast track in 1:09.90.
Isaac Castillo was aboard for trainer Brad Cox.
Key of Life is a daughter of Mo Town who races for the partnership of Flurry Racing Stable and Hoffman Family Racing. She was winning the second stakes race of her career behind the $200,000 Myrtlewood last fall at Keeneland.
Key of Life has now won 4 of 7 starts for earnings of $391,475.
*Jockey Rocco Bowen was taken to a local hospital to be checked out after being thrown from his mount, Paid Double, when the maiden reared while being loaded into the starting gate for the eighth race Saturday. Agent Gene Short was traveling to the hospital, but said he was told by phone that Bowen was stable and resting comfortably.
*Jockey Frankie Dettori is scheduled to ride Teddy’s Barino in the $250,000 Matron on Friday at Oaklawn, said agent Ron Anderson. From there, he said, Dettori is scheduled to be back at Santa Anita for the Saturday card April 1.
*Oaklawn will open its infield Sunday.
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