Lord Prancealot leads them all the way in Graduation Stakes
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Lord Prancealot made the successful transition from maiden race to stakes for statebreds with a front-running win in Friday’s $126,000 Graduation Stakes for California-breds, holding off a late surge from Last Call London.
Ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, for his third win of the day, Lord Prancealot set a sharp early fraction of 21.87 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and finished in 1:04.59.
Lord Prancealot was favored in the field of eight 2-year-olds, paying $8.60 to win.
Breaking from post 6, Lord Prancealot was quickly in front on the inside, holding an advantage of slightly more than a length over Refocus and Shady Appeal. Last Call London was fourth early, racing on the rail.
Turning into the stretch, jockey Juan Hernandez moved Last Call London (4-1) to the outside of Lord Prancealot. While Last Call London closed well late, Lord Prancealot held off that rival to win by a head.
Mici’s Express (20-1) closed from off the pace to finish third, followed by Refocus, Wild Jewels, Shady Appeal, Smokem Ez, and Salsation.
Lord Prancealot, owned by Rusty Brown and breeder Jeff Ganje, is trained by Jeff Bonde. Lord Prancealot won his debut in a maiden race for California-breds by 3 1/2 lengths at 12-1 at Del Mar on July 29.
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Lord Prancealot has earned $120,450.
Lord Prancealot is by Sir Prancealot, who previously stood overseas and has been based in California since the 2020 breeding season. The current 2-year-olds are Sir Prancealot’s first full crop to race in California. The 13-year-old stallion had three winners at Del Mar on Thursday and Friday.
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