King's review: Devious d’Oro romps
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLESunday, June 8, review
The eighth race Sunday looked like it might be a race in which a filly could turn in a performance that would make her one to follow. And it seemingly proved that way, though it wasn’t the filly the public, or this handicapper, expected.
Rather than promising first-out winners Swept Up and Tiz May West, it was 7-1 shot Devious d’Oro who proved dominant in victory. Making her first start since September, she overcame a slow start and rallied from last to win by 4 3/4 lengths.
A 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro well prepped off the layoff by trainer Donnie Von Hemel, she raced 6 1/2 furlongs under Shaun Bridgmohan on a fast track in 1:17.78, earning a 78 Beyer Speed Figure.
It was the second win of the day for Bridgmohan, who also won the third race with Too Cool.
Tiz May West just lasted for the place, edging third-place Swept Up by a head for the runner-up prize.
Juvenile filly sparkles in race 4
Among leading rider Corey Lanerie’s three winners Sunday was Rachel’s Ready, a 2-year-old filly who won what appeared to be a promising maiden heat in race 4.
A daughter of More Than Ready, she is trained by David Vance for longtime client Carl Pollard. She raced five furlongs in 59.16 seconds and posted a 72 Beyer.
Though she clearly had no trouble handling the main track at Churchill Downs, based on her pedigree, this filly might ultimately prove even more successful on turf and going longer distances. Her dam, My Rachel, was Grade 3-placed in the Long Island Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on turf, and her only other foal to race, Firehouse Red, won both of her races on turf and was twice stakes-placed on grass.
Rachel’s Ready’s dam is also a half-sister to Jack Milton, the winner of the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at Belmont on May 26.
Horses from ‘B’ level tracks had big day
In what partially reflects the drop-off in quality in claiming racing at Churchill Downs, horses who last raced at “minor” tracks won four such types of races Sunday.
Three winners came by way of Indiana Grand, with Key Point taking the first race, Befuddler the fifth, and Jane’s Heir the ninth. All three had run at Indiana Grand in May.
The other small-track winner was Too Cool, who took a $50,000 claiming race for 3-year-old fillies in the third race after finishing fourth in a first-level allowance at Louisiana Downs on May 3.
Horse to Watch
Blushing Aura
Trainer: Walter Bindner
Last race: June 8, 6th
Finish: 4th by 7 1/4
Beyer: 55
Debuting in a five-furlong turf race for older fillies and mares, her inexperience showed when she hopped at the start – essentially ending any chance she had of contending. But she got into gear to rally for fourth in a useful performance in such a short race and likely has upside with that race behind her.