by Mike Curry

Ferragamo improved to two wins in as many starts this year and earned his first career stakes win with a front-running 1 3/4-length score in the $49,000 Mountain Valley Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Trained by Larry Jones for owners-breeders Fletcher and Carolyn Gray, Ferragamo moved up to overtake Mr. L. A. shortly after the start in the six-furlong race for three-year-olds and drilled an opening quarter in :21.80 under jockey Joe Johnson.

Ferragamo maintained a clear lead on the turn as the 3-to-2 second choice in the five-horse field while settling in through a half-mile in a slightly less spritely :45.33.

Two-time stakes winner and 6-to-5 favorite Carson’s Legacy challenged Ferragamo in early stretch but ducked out under left-handed urging and was no match for the winner.

Ferragamo completed six furlongs in 1:09.90 on a rack rated as fast to improve to three wins in four career starts with earnings of $74,770.

Carson’s Legacy finished four lengths clear of third-place finisher Sebastian County.

Kentucky-bred Ferragamo is not nominated to the Triple Crown.

A half brother to multiple stakes winner Brittsker, Ferragamo is one of five winners from as many starters out of the unraced Conquistador Cielo mare Spinner, a half sister to champion Left Bank.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor