The Eight Belles Stakes (G2) was not just a race among 3-year-old fillies for $579,660, but turned into a race against Mother Nature as Churchill Downs officials tried to beat out severe weather. The track won that race and, maybe not too surprising for a race in which everyone was watching the time, the horse race that occurred was won by a filly named Look Forward.
The 11 fillies departed the paddock with 15 minutes before scheduled post time and warmed up quickly in order to break from the gate six minutes ahead of schedule. Look Forward was one of the last to arrive for saddling and had no problem with the quick turnaround.
Jockey Umberto Rispoli kept his filly in perfect stalking position behind Impulse Buy's :21.92 and :44.17 splits. Moving in tandem with favored Eclatant, Look Forward took command as they approached the stretch and continued strong through the finish. At the wire, she withstood Blue Fire's late effort by 1 1/4 lengths while Evanescence grabbed third another length behind.
Look Forward completed seven furlongs in 1:22.36 and paid $17.04 to win.
Rain drops finally began to fall as the daughter of Bolt d'Oro returned to the winner's circle, as did a few tears from the winning connections. Her debut victory Nov. 8 at Del Mar was the last victory for trainer Ben Cecil, who died of cancer later that month.
READ: Ben Cecil, Trainer of Golden Apples, Dies at 56
After Cecil's death, Look Forward was transferred by owner J. Paul Reddam to Michael McCarthy, a former assistant to Cecil.
"This is a great win for Paul and everybody," said a choked up McCarthy. "You don't really ever want to come across a horse like this under these circumstances. Very happy for Ben's family. A guy I worked for, had a couple of laughs with. It's all come to fruition."
The Eight Belles marked Look Forward's second stakes win for McCarthy after conquering the seven-furlong Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park in January. Look Forward had fallen on hard times in her two starts since leaving California, but McCarthy felt she had valid excuses with rough trips after poor starts.
A clean run and a cut back to one turn—over which she is now 3-for-3—put her back on track.
"I felt like we hadn't seen the best of this filly in her last two starts," McCarthy said. "Cutting back today, her work here this past week was fantastic. She broke with them today. Umberto was always able to keep her in her spot. Around the turn, it looked like she was traveling comfortably and was able to put a neck on those horses and had enough to finish the job nicely."
McCarthy also noted he was pleased seeing Rispoli start gaining some momentum. The pair are scheduled to team up May 3 with Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Journalism.
Looking forward with Look Forward, McCarthy said he'd like to keep her at one turn and is excited for the Saratoga Race Course meet where the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) would be a presumed target Aug. 2.
Bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm and Ballyfair Bloodstock, Look Forward was a $285,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She has now earned $505,675 for Reddam Racing. Her victory was a first in graded company this season for Spendthrift Farm stallion Bolt d'Oro, who stands for a $15,000 fee in 2025.
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