La Reason takes Pippin Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - La Reason rallied through the stretch for a neck win over Ballroom Deputy in the $50,000 at Oaklawn Park on Thursday. The race had been drawn three times in the last week because a winter storm forced the cancellation of racing on each of its first two dates, Feb. 18 and Feb. 20.

But things went as scheduled on a clear afternoon Thursday. La Reason ($7.80) sat a few lengths off the pace set by Ballroom Deputy, who led the field through fractions of 24.13 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.61 for the half-mile mark, and 1:14.24 for six furlongs.

La Reason angled outside of horses entering the stretch, overtook Ballroom Deputy, then edged that one at the wire when Ballroom Deputy re-rallied late. La Reason covered the mile and a sixteenth for fillies and mares over a fast track in 1:46.83.

Terry Thompson rode the winner for trainer David Vance.

Platinum Ballet finished third in the Pippin, two and a half lengths behind Ballroom Deputy.

La Reason earned $30,000 for the win in the Pippin. Overall, she has won 9 of 36 starts and $675,371. La Reason is a 6-year-old mare by Labeeb, and she races for K and K Racing. La Reason is now being pointed for the Grade 3, $175,000 Azeri Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn Park on March 11, according to Vance.