Duality rallies late to win Bashford Manor for Padua Stables-John Phillips partnership It happens all the time in Thoroughbred racing: Man likes horse; man cuts deal with horse's owner; horse develops into outstanding runner.

Bashford Manor S. (G2)
Churchill Downs, July 9, $139,12 furlongs, fast, 1:10.09
1-DUALITY, c. 2, Seeking the Gold-Jody G., by Roberto.
2-Strait Cat, c. 2, Forest Wildcat-Castle Creek, by Sharpen Up (GB).
3-Take Arms, c. 2, Honour and Glory-Slide, by Smarten.

But in the case of Duality, who became a graded stakes winner with a half-length victory over pacesetter Strait Cat in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G2) on July 9, closing day at Churchill Downs, the star power behind the horse equals that of the colt himself.

A bay son of Seeking the Gold out of the Roberto mare Jody G., Duality was slated for sale at last year's Keeneland July selected yearling sale. But breeder John Phillips said that the horse "got a little stressed" at Keeneland, so the master of Darby Dan Farm decided to take him home. That was not good enough for Padua Stables' Satish Sanan and trainer D. Wayne Lukas. They approached Phillips and worked out a deal, purchasing a half-interest in the colt for an undisclosed price. "Just a couple of bucks," Sanan joked after the Bashford Manor.

"We wanted him and we went down and looked at him (at Keeneland)," Sanan said. "The next day we wondered why he wasn't in the sale. We told John we really wanted to own the horse. He agreed to sell us half."

Breaking from post two, Duality settled off the pace as Strait Cat stripped a couple of gears drag racing a quarter in :20.73 and a half in :44.25. At the top of the lane, Duality was in fifth under Calvin Borel, but lacked racing room up the rail. Borel found a split between Take Arms and 2-to-1 favorite Firststatedeposit just before the eighth pole, Duality went through it, and chased down Strait Cat a couple of jumps before the wire. Duality won by a half-length with Take Arms third another 11Ú2 lengths behind. Running time was 1:10.09 for six furlongs over a fast track.

Duality improved his record to 2-1-0 in three starts with earnings of $121,203. Mike Maker, Lukas's Kentucky assistant, said the colt would be shipped to Saratoga. Sanan said his long-range goal is the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.

A Moving Debutante

Trainer Mark Hennig enters the summer months in a situation every trainer hopes for: He has a glut of talented young horses.

Debutante S. (G3)
Churchill Downs, July 8, $112,300, 51/2 furlongs, fast, 1:03.79
1-GOLD MOVER, f. 2, Gold Fever-Intentional Move, by Tentam.
2-Princess Belle, f. 2, Mr. Greeley-Sister Belle, by Bravest Roman.
3-Tricky Elaine, f. 2, Grindstone-Evil Elaine, by Medieval Man.

One of them was displayed in full flight on July 8 when undefeated Gold Mover led practically every step of the way to record a 2 3/4-length victory over 18.40-to-1 longshot Princess Belle in the 100th running of the Debutante Stakes (G3).

The 1-to-2 favorite, Gold Mover, who defeated males in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes (G3) on May 29, is one of three stakes-winning two-year-old fillies in Hennig's barn. Raging Fever won the Astoria Stakes by 11 1/4 lengths on July 3 at Belmont Park. With Ability won the Fashion Stakes by seven lengths on June 8. "I would guess until it comes down to Grade 1 races like the Spinaway (Stakes) we'll keep them apart," said Rob Rader, Hennig's Kentucky assistant. "There's enough spots to keep them apart for a while."

Gold Mover stalked the pace in her first two career starts, but moved to the lead a few jumps out of the gate in the Debutante under jockey Craig Perret. Princess Belle was the only one willing to chase the favorite, and they quickly drew clear of the rest of the field in an opening quarter of :21.83. Entering the stretch, Perret shook the reins a little bit and Gold Mover put away her rival, cruising home to win in 1:03.79, just .18 slower than the track record for 5 1/2 furlongs.

Tricky Elaine, a half sister to 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick, was pinched badly and clipped heels coming out of the gate but recovered to finish third, beaten a length for second.

By Gold Fever out of Intentional Move, by Tentam, Gold Mover earned $69,626 in the Debutante and increased her earnings to $201,942 from three victories in as many starts for owner-breeder Edward P. Evans.

TWIN SPIRES-Conserve, given a cagey ride by Shane Sellers, hung tough down the lane to record a front-running victory in the $287,000 Firecracker Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) on July 4. The four-year-old Boundary colt covered the mile in 1:35.12 on a firm turf course and earned $177,940 for owner Claiborne Farm, taking his career earnings to $473,974 from six wins in 18 starts. ... Michael Cloonan's Morluc, making his first start since January 3, set a record for five furlongs on turf when he won an allowance race in :56.06 on July 8. The old record of :56.09 was set by Danjur in 1996.