Precieuse rallies powerfully to prevail in Honey Fox
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Add another top-class filly-mare turfer to the Chad Brown list.
Precieuse, a European import making just her second start in North America, rallied strongly in the final furlong to collar Valedictorian near the wire Saturday and win the 33rd running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Honey Fox at Gulfstream Park.
Ridden by Javier Castellano, Precieuse returned $4 as the favorite in a field of 10 after finishing the one-mile distance in 1:34.14 over firm going. The Irish-bred 5-year-old mare is owned by Peter Brant.
Victory in the Honey Fox places Precieuse among an elite Brown contingent that includes Sistercharlie, Uni, and Rushing Fall as major contenders for 2019 honors in a division the trainer has thoroughly dominated in recent seasons.
“She’d had some minor things since we ran her the one time last year,” said Brown, referring to a narrow defeat in an ungraded turf stakes last August at Saratoga. “Peter was really patient with her. A couple of times, he considered breeding her, but he was the one that wanted to go on with her and give her a chance to have a full campaign. We got her back to full health, and she delivered today.”
A Group 1 winner in France at 3, Precieuse now has three wins and five seconds from nine career starts. Brown said he would consider his options for the daughter of Tamayuz, as he already has slotted Sistercharlie and Rushing Fall for the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley next month at Keeneland.
Valedictorian was perhaps a bit unlucky to lose when getting a terrific ride from Tyler Gaffalione. She and Precieuse both rallied strongly on the final turn, then blew past the early leader, La Signare, after straightening for home. Valedictorian then edged away from Precieuse at the furlong pole, but in the end, Precieuse found her best stride under a rhythmic Castellano drive to prevail by a half-length.
Bellavais was third, another three-quarters of a length back, with Hogans Holiday rallying belatedly to finish fourth.
The $2 exacta (1-2) paid $21.80, the $1 trifecta (1-2-9) returned $37.20, and the 10-cent superfecta (1-2-9-8) was worth $33.80.
