Our Love made best of chance

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Our Love's remarkable gate-to-wire effort in last Sunday's Sangue Handicap in turf-course-record time almost might not have happened at all.

Frustrated that he could not find a spot for Our Love, who had never raced beyond six furlongs until Sunday's victory, trainer Jeff Trosclair was basically forced into running in the two-turn Sangue out of necessity. Our Love needed a race, almost any race, to get ready for her fall campaign, including defending her title in the five-furlong Majorette on Super Derby weekend, Oct. 2.

"Going in the Sangue was simply a matter of availability," said Trosclair after Our Love lowered the 7 1/2-furlong course record to 1:27.96. The previous mark of 1:28.40 had stood since 1989.

"We entered her several times in five-furlong turf races that just didn't fill," said Trosclair. "She might be the reason they won't fill, because she is pretty good going five-eighths."

"Basically," said Trosclair, "this was the only spot between Our Love's previous race, the Miller Lite Stakes on June 25 at Lone Star, and the Majorette."

A daughter of Combat Ready, Our Love also looked pretty good going 7 1/2 furlongs in the Sangue. Leading rider John Jacinto took advantage of a couple of key scratches out of a once-speed-laden field and placed Our Love on the lead. The mare relaxed nicely in a fashion that belied her lack of experience going two turns. After leading through an opening quarter-mile in 23.44 seconds, Our Love set a lively half-mile pace of 45.41. Still running within herself after three-quarters in 1:09.27, Our Love had plenty left to hold off Chitchat Chitchat and the starting highweight, Due to Win Again, in the late going.

"I was pleased with the first quarter, but the second quarter seemed to be a little quick," Trosclair said. "John and I had talked before the race, and I asked him, if you are going easy in the middle of the second turn, just try and steal off at that point and hope you have enough to hold them off."

Secure Line looks good to go

Jacinto will once again try and put those kind hands of his to good use in Friday's nonwinners-of-one other-than allowance feature aboard Secure Line.

Trained by Al Stall Jr., comes off a maiden score in his local debut last month. A son of Phone Trick, he prompted the early pace before taking over turning for home. Jacinto did not ask the 4-year-old for his all down the lane and was more than six lengths in front at the wire.

Bet down to even money in his career debut last summer at Hollywood, Secure Line appears ready to live up to that potential.