Launch finds first stakes triumph in Any Limit

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Launch, who has found her niche on the dirt since arriving in the U.S. during the fall of her 2-year-old campaign, became a stakes winner for the first time Sunday at Gulfstream Park after rallying to a 1 3/4-length victory over the prohibitive favorite R Harper Rose in the $100,000 Any Limit Stakes.

The six-furlong Any Limit scratched down from an original field of six 3-year-old fillies to just three starters by post time.

Launch was winless in seven starts on turf in Europe before being moved to trainer Jorge Delgado, who sent the daughter of Omaha Beach out to win her U.S. debut by 7 1/2 lengths over the main track last October at Delaware Park. Launch subsequently took up winter residence at Gulfstream Park, where she finished second in the Glitter Woman Stakes to kick off her 3-year-old campaign before dropping into the allowance ranks to register a neck decision over the well-regarded Roswell here five weeks later. Both races were decided on the main track.

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In the Any Limit, Launch attended a very rapid pace set by the 1-5 R Harper Rose, who sped her opening quarter in 21.58 seconds and the half in 44.65. Launch, with regular rider David Egan aboard, engaged the leader upon settling into the stretch before edging well clear in the final sixteenth. Chi Chi raced well back during the early going and finished third and last, making up some ground down the lane but never seriously menacing the top two.

Both Runaway Diva and Amor Fati were declared from the race at scratch time, while Candy Gray was scratched after suffering a cut on her ankle in her stall in the saddling enclosure about 10 minutes before post time.

Launch covered the distance in 1:10.90 and paid $8.40.

“I was a little concerned about the post position when the number one scratched and we had to break from the rail. You have to break really good or you’re out of the race,” said Delgado, who trains Launch for Amo Racing USA. “Turning for home I had a lot of confidence because she always finishes well. I knew she had enough in her to pass the other filly.”

Delgado said Launch has improved and certainly shown an affinity for the main track since joining his stable last season.

“From the beginning we wanted to give her a chance on dirt,” Delgado said. “They always thought highly of her, but on the dirt she’s really found herself for now and is looking very promising for the rest of the year.”

Delgado said his immediate goal for Launch is the Grade 2 Eight Belles on the Kentucky Oaks undercard at Churchill Downs on May 3.

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