Pleasanton: Look Quickly displays more speed in Juan Gonzalez win

Look Quickly stalked favored Side Letter and made a strong move in the final eighth of a mile to capture the $63,750 Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., on Saturday.

The 2-year-old Look Quickly ($12.60), a daughter of Run Away and Hide, showed more speed than in her winning debut one month ago at Golden Gate Fields. She was fifth at the first call that day before circling her rivals.

In the Juan Gonzalez, she was sitting third early only 1½ lengths behind Side Ticket, who powered her way into the lead from the rail with a 21.53-second opening quarter.

“She seemed better today,” said jockey Pedro Terrero. “She broke better, but I took her back off the lead.”

Side Ticket, under Russell Baze, powered to the lead down the backstretch and ran a 44.52 opening half. She repelled a challenge from Purims Faith in the lane, but had no answer for Look Quickly’s late charge.

Look Quickly won the 51/2-furlong race for 2-yar-old fillies in 1:03.51, defeating Side Letter by 1 1/4 lengths with Purims Faith another three lengths back in third.

“I felt I had a lot of horse when we turned for home, but I wasn’t sure if she could catch that other filly,” said Terrero.

Owned, bred, and trained by Bill Morey Jr., Look Quickly has developed nicely. She was saddled Saturday by Manny Padilla, who said the Morey, who is currently hospitalized, was pleased by the victory.

“We’ve always liked this filly,” Padilla said. “This has worked out just the way we planned it.”

After winning her debut on June 7, Look Quickly had two solid works leading up to her dirt debut, including a best-of-59 five-furlong 1:00.40 bullet work on June 29.

She earned $42,200to increase her lifetime earnings to $63,260 with her 2-for-2 record.