Turf Paradise: Pearson sweeps ATBA stakes with favorite, longshot
Things went as expected in the $84,149 ATBA Fall Sales Stakes filly division at Turf Paradise when overwhelming favorite Lazy Daisy May won easily. Things didn’t go as predicted in the $73,584 colt-and-gelding division as I Rock the Party rallied to post a 34-1 shocker. Despite the difference in how they were viewed by patrons, both were sent out by trainer Molly Pearson.
Owned by Stable HMA, Lazy Daisy May was 4-5 for her first start since she won the ATBA Spring Sales Stakes here May 7. Under Giovanni Franco, Lazy Daisy May, a 2-year-old daughter of Rocky Bar, stalked the pace of 3-2 second choice My Fine Lady in the six-furlong event, took over in the lane, and drew off to win easily by 5 1/4 lengths. My Fine Lady was second, much the best of the rest, finishing 15 1/2 lengths clear of third finisher All Said and Done in the field of eight.
Lazy Daisy May paid $3.60 and ran the distance in 1:11.08, nearly a full second faster than the boys ran 20 minutes later. The winner’s share of $49,499 gives her earnings of $92,921 from 2 wins in 3 starts.
I Rock the Party, owned by C J Racing LLC, went into the colt-and-gelding division as a maiden after three starts, his best finish being a third in the trial for this race here Oct. 5.
Under Vince Guerra, I Rock the Party, a 2-year-old son of Rock Hard Ten, broke slowly, lagged well back early, was still well back into the lane but after pitching out very wide finished strongly to get up in the final stride to win by a nose. Lawly’s Goal, another longshot at 26-1, sat midpack and finished well to just miss, three-quarters of a length in front of Whiz Hit in third. Son of a Pistola, the 8-5 favorite who won the same Oct. 5 race in which I Rock the Party ran third, pressed the pace but faded to sixth in the field of 12.
I Rock the Party paid $70.20 and ran the distance in 1:12.07, much slower than his filly counterparts. The winner’s share of $30,325 gives him a bankroll of $31,533 from 1 win in 4 starts.