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Eclipse Finalists Blue Norther Stakes New Years Stakes Road to the Derby Year in Review |
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 Jockey Frankie Dettori celebrates his win in the Juvenile Turf aboard Donativum.
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The $1 million Grey Goose Juvenile Turf featured a full field of 12 two-year-old colts and geldings go 1 mile on the very firm turf course at Santa Anita. Westphalia, winner of the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time out, was sent off as the 3-1 favorite over 4-1 second choice Bittel Road, undefeated in three starts including the With Anticipation at Saratoga and the Bourbon at Keenenand. Grand Adventure, undefeated in 2 starts including the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, was the 9-2 third choice on the toteboard.
 Donativum and Westphalia duel in deep stretch |
Jockey Jon Court sent 56-1 longest shot Orthodox to the front right away and he set an uncontested pace of 22.54, 46.53, and 1:10.34 while as many as 3 lengths clear of the field. Bittel Road sat off the pace in second with 6-1 Coronet of a Baron third. Turning for home, Orthodox and Bittel Road faded from their fast pace allowing Coronet of a Baron to inherit the lead in mid stretch. However, 6-1 Donativum, ninth early, found room between horses at the top of the lane and shot through to collar late-running Westphalia in mid-stretch. The two battled briefly before Donativum got the advantage to win by a half length in a final time of 1:34.68. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Coronet of a Baron third.
This was the first of two wins on the card for jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer John Gosden. They also teamed up to win the Classic with Raven's Run later in the day.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 4 Donativum Dettori 13.60 7.00 5.00 3 Westphalia Murtagh 5.40 3.80 7 Coronet of a Baron Garcia 5.40 Winning Time: 1:34.68 $1 Exacta 4-3 23.60 $1 Trifecta 4-3-7 152.90 $1 Superfecta 4-3-7-2 3,024.10Results chart |
Left: Frankie Dettori waves to the fans as Donativum returns after the race. Winning trainer John Gosden said, "He's probably a sprinter. He's got the mile well here. He can definitely go further. He's a horse that's likely to possibly switch, but with a gelding like this, let's be honest, you go for the money, and you go for the nice races and you take chances. It's no problem. So I would never be frightened at looking at anything, no. I never would. The Kentucky Derby, you do have to get the mile and a quarter, you know."
Two different angles showing Frankie Dettori's victory leap off Donativum in the winner's circle. Dettori said, "Most of the speed was from the outside. I was able to get in a decent enough position. You know, talking to John, he told me he had a pretty good turn afoot. I was concerned, actually just before the straight to find a way out. I could see John had the same probably in front of me. So I took no chances and I got him out whenever I could. It took a hundred yards to find top gear. And once I got by Johnny's horse (Westphalia), I knew he was in full flight, and I knew that the job was done. I love Santa Anita. This is where I started as a young boy. Coming back here to some really great friends has been overwhelming. And I knew I had a great book of rides."
John Ferguson, representative for owners Princess Haya of Jordan and Darley Stable, jockey Frankie Dettori, and trainer John Gosden celebrate with the trophy. Ferguson said, "He has improved enormously. To come here and do what he did today, obviously, was a good performance. The horse that he beat in the Million won a Group 1 in England today by 6 lengths. So the horse's form is strong. He's a gelding, which means that every option is open to him. I know Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed would feel that he's a horse to have fun with because he's a gelding. I certainly wouldn't rule out anything. Whether he would get the trip in the Kentucky Derby, would he get the 10 furlongs? I don't know. He's more of a miler. But anything's possible."
Right: Second place finisher Westphalia in the post parade. His jockey John Murtagh said, "I had a pretty good trip. It was a little tight, but we were down on the inside where he likes to be. I was following (Coronet of a Baron) and was waiting for my chance. He kicked on for me and I thought I had it." His trainer Aidan O'Brien added, "He ran a great race and Johnny (Murtagh) gave him a great ride. There's trouble in every race, it's just part of it. We're a little disappointed but certainly not discouraged. He's got a good future ahead of him."
Left: Third place finisher Coronet of a Baron returns after the race. His jockey Alan Garcia said, "He is going to be a nice horse. He did everything right today, he just got beat. Good trip, no excuses." His trainer Eoin Harty added, "He ran well, but he got outrun. He showed up and was in a spot to do it, and I thought he was going to do it. It's just that better horses beat him today."
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