NEWS
Havre de Grace turns tables on familiar rival Blind Luck
Posted: Saturday, October 02, 2010 6:53 PM
HAVRE DE GRACE
Equi-Photo
For video of the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes, click here.
by Tom De Martini
Fox Hill Farm’s Havre de Grace avenged back-to-back losses to five-time Grade 1 winner Blind Luck after gaining the lead at the top of the stretch and fending off a late charge from her familiar for to win the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (G2) by a neck Saturday at Parx Racing.
The three-year-old Saint Liam filly suffered consecutive narrow defeats by Blind Luck in the Betfair TVG Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on August 21 and the Delaware Oaks (G2) on July 10 at Delaware Park.
The Cotillion’s scenario appeared to unfold in similar fashion, despite 7-to-10 favorite Blind Luck’s ten-pound weight difference to her main challenger.
Havre de Grace, the 6-to-5 second wagering choice, inherited the lead from tiring pacesetter Bonnie Blue Flag at the top of the stretch and opened up a 3½-length lead under jockey Jeremy Rose. Blind Luck, toting 124 pounds, relaxed at the back of the pack until the far turn, where regular rider Joel Rosario asked for her patented late rally.
Blind Luck closed stoutly while ducking in somewhat and gobbled up ground. Havre de Grace responded to urging while bearing out slightly but managed to beat Blind Luck to the finish line, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.93 on a track rated as fast.
The Cotillion victory was the first stakes score for Havre de Grace, who is out of the Carson City mare Easter Bunnette. Bred in Kentucky by Nancy Dillman, she was a $380,000 purchase at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale.
“Up until now, she wasn’t a stakes winner and she’s proven time and again that she is one of the best of her generation,” said trainer Tony Dutrow. “It’s gratifying to beat a filly of the quality of Blind Luck. I think ten pounds might have been an advantage. These good horses can overcome a lot.”
Havre de Grace bankrolled $435,000 for the win, improving her total earnings to $675,175 for three wins, three seconds, and one third in seven lifetime starts.
Dutrow said he and Fox Hill Farms owner Rick Porter will huddle in coming weeks to discuss a possible Breeders’ Cup start.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tom De Martini is a New Jersey-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
