Seduire goes wire to wire in Wine Country Debutante

SANTA ROSA, Calif. – “Looks like I picked right,” said Russell Baze after Seduire ($2.60) scored an easy victory Friday in the $56,450 Wine Country Debutante at the Sonoma County Fair.

Seduire, who split decisions with highly regarded Enchanting Lady in Southern California, led every step of the way to beat five rivals in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. She clocked 1:11.05 as she defeated Can Can Babe by 1 1/4 lengths with Wedding Blush in third another 1 1/4 lengths back.

The daughter of Elusive Quality opened a quick lead on Can Can Babe, who beat colts in Boise in the C. Christian Futurity in her debut, with a 22.60-second opening quarter. She continued to increase her lead into the stretch before Can Can Babe made up a little ground late.

“She scrambled for a couple jumps out of the gate but then settled in,” said Baze, who chose to ride Seduire over the stakes winner Do the Danse after working her. Do the Danse, who won the Juan Gonzalez with Baze at Pleasanton, finished last.

“I just kept her relaxed,” said Baze. “She tired a bit at the sixteenth, but she dug in when she heard that other one.”

A $130,000 Keeneland purchase by Regis Farms last November, Seduire earned $32,050 to increase her career earnings to $90,650 with two wins and a second in the Landaluce Stakes at Santa Anita. Jerry Hollendorfer is the trainer.