As a good portion of the United States braces for severe winter cold, one who is more than happy to be in the Florida sunshine is Steve Landers Racing's Destino d'Oro, who improved her Gulfstream Park record to 2-for-2 with a come-from-behind victory in the $490,500 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2T) Jan. 24.
The Hurstland Farm and James Greene Jr.-bred Bolt d'Oro filly had shown early promise at 2, and again when winning the Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) at Ellis Park in August. However, trainer Brad Cox said it was like they hit a brick wall after consecutive off-the-board defeats in Kentucky through the fall.
That all changed Dec. 13 when the Kentucky-bred flashed her late kick to win the Tropical Park Oaks by a head. In her first start against older fillies and mares Saturday, that form carried. Shuffled back to 11th out of the gate, Junior Alvarado gradually inched her into contention behind fractions of :23.43 and :46.87.
"We broke and I knew she was probably going to come from off the pace," Alvarado told Gulfstream publicity. "I couldn't believe how much horse I had underneath me. She came with a helluva run at the end."
Turning for home ninth of 12, Alvarado tipped to the outside and stormed forward with a rush, besting the late rallies of Crevalle d'Oro and Movin' On Up to win by a half-length in 1:40.33. She paid $33.20 to win.
"She likes it down here," Cox said. "She got a good setup and a good ride from Junior today. It worked out well."
Her second graded score was the fifth lifetime win in eight starts for Destino d'Oro, increasing her career earnings to $829,884. Out of the grade 1-placed Lion Heart mare Heart of Destiny, Destino d'Oro is the first graded winner this year for Bolt d'Oro, who stands for $25,000 at Spendthrift Farm.
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Mott, Alvarado Take Both Dirt Undercard Stakes
Alvarado also was aboard for two other stakes winners, both trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott.
In the $200,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2), Alvarado overcame a wide draw with Bell Tower Thoroughbreds and Medallion Racing's Grand Job to win as she pleased, defeating Sterling Silver by 2 3/4 lengths while completing 7 furlongs in 1:21.41. Claret Beret was third.
The victory was a first at the graded level for the Fullbury-bred Justify mare, who is now 4-for-6 in the United States.
“We always felt she had it in her,” Mott told Gulfstream publicity. “Now that (she’s) had time, (she’s) looked that good against stakes quality. It’s just had to do with her development.”
Video: Inside Information S. presented by MyRacehorse (G2)
Mott and Alvarado also teamed with Godolphin homebred Knightsbridge, who earned his second consecutive graded score in the $150,000 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3).
Knightsbridge battled early with stakes-debuting Life and Times before dispatching him on the far turn and triumphing by an impressive 4 3/4 lengths over Back Em Up in 1:35.12. Life and Times finished third.
"He's had his third race in this cycle and is finally up to showing what we thought he could do," Mott said of the son of Nyquist . "Some of his races have been very easy wins, but today was against a better field and he drew away from them pretty handily."
Video: Fred W. Hooper S. presented by Visit Lauderdale (G3)
Speed Shopper, Layabout Quick Over Long Turf Distances
The first stakes on Pegasus day got the card off to an emotional start as Speed Shopper won the $150,000 Christophe Clement Stakes (G3T) off a perfect stalking trip by 1 3/4 lengths over Ayra Stark and Weighted Average. The AR Enterprises and Edward Easton-bred 5-year-old mare completed 1 1/2 miles in 2:26.76 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez.
Trainer Will Walden said the race had been circled for owners Gary Barber, Bridlewood Farm, and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' improving Quality Road mare since Gulfstream made the decision to rename the La Prevoyante Stakes after Clement, who died last spring. Walden considered Clement a mentor and has been friends with his son, Miguel, since childhood.
"It's indescribable what that man meant to me," Walden told FanDuel TV's Andie Biancone. "He was so conscious about helping the next generation and moving us forward. ... To win this race in honor of him, couldn't ask to script it any better."
Video: Christophe Clement S. presented by Don Julio Tequila (G3T)
When the boys had their turn over 1 1/2 miles on turf in the William L. McKnight Stakes (G3T), Kevin Doyle's Newbyth Stud homebred Layabout stretched out and showed he's a rising star in the turf division.
The 4-year-old Patrick Biancone-trained Laoban gelding took it to them early and led through fast fractions of :22.93 and :47.85 but still had enough to hold off Padiddle by 1 1/4 lengths in 2:25.27 under David Egan. Balnikhov was third.
"This is a fantastic horse," Biancone said. "He's much better when he's in front, that's why he (wears) the special goggles, because he's scared of the other horses. He's scared of everything."
