Prat's confident ride spurs Bodhicitta to victory in Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar
DEL MAR, Calif. -- The progression of Bodhicitta from a maiden race winner last October to a second in a Grade 1 stakes at Santa Anita in May made a fan of top California jockey Flavien Prat.
When Bodhicitta was entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar, Prat kept the mount for the sixth time in the filly’s last seven races. Prat’s experience and confidence helped Bodhicitta to a thrilling nose win.
Bodhicitta ($11.20) closed from third in the final furlong to edge 11-1 Tonahutu, benefitting from a ride that left winning trainer Richard Baltas full of praise for Prat.
“He saved ground and we needed all of his ride to win that,” Baltas said. “He stuck with her. He didn’t jump off. He rode a great race.”
Bodhicitta was within two or three lengths of early leader Harmless through a slow pace of 24.52 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.97 for a half-mile. Bodhicitta advanced to third on the turn and displayed an impressive kick through the final sixteenth to grab the win.
“I was able to get right on the fence and save ground,” Prat said. “I knew they were going slow, but my filly has a good turn of foot and we got it done.”
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Tonahutu, claimed for $32,000 by current trainer Doug O’Neill at Santa Anita on May 31, finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of 30-1 Harmless. Lady Prancealot, also trained by Baltas, finished fourth, followed by Beau Recall, Summering, and Keeper Ofthe Stars.
Beau Recall, the 6-5 favorite, won the 2019 Yellow Ribbon and was second in the Grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park on June 27. In Saturday’s race, Beau Recall broke from the outside post under jockey Umberto Rispoli, who said the slow pace doomed his mare’s chances.
“The pace was too slow,” Rispoli said. “She broke pretty well. If they go slow and you’re drawn inside, you’ll be happy. If they go slow and you’re drawn outside, you won’t be happy.”
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Bodhicitta was timed in 1:42.83, winning her first stakes in the $151,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap in her third appearance in such a race. Bodhicitta earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
A 4-year-old British-bred filly by the Oasis Dream stallion Showcasing, Bodhicitta was sixth of eight in the minor Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile at Santa Anita last December in her stakes debut and second by 1 1/2 lengths at 14-1 in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita on May 25 in her graded stakes debut.
Owned by Calvin Nguyen, Bodhicitta arrived in the United States in the spring of 2019 as a maiden after seven starts in Ireland.