March 16, 2025
TORONTO – By Matthew Lomon
Tale of Two Horses
When a horse starts their career 1-for-16, the odds of that same horse suddenly winning three straight races, including a graded stakes, are about the same as the Colorado Rockies’ playoff chances in 2025.
Fortunately for the lowly Rockies, there’s a glimmer of hope in the form of 5-year-old mare Lady Claypoole (IRE), who has pulled a complete 180 in her fourth professional campaign.
The oft-overlooked Richard Baltas charge remained perfect through three 2025 starts after storming back to win the $100,000 Santa Ana (G3T) at Santa Anita by 2 ½ lengths at 11-1.
Saturday’s remarkable effort was also a revelation for bettors, as Lady Claypoole (IRE) paid $25.40 on a $2 win wager.
Family Section
It was just another day at the office for father-son trainer-jockey duo Steve and Erik Asmussen, who together guided 4-year-old colt Booth to a gate-to-wire victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Whitmore (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Leaving post four as the narrow 5-2 favorite, Booth left no doubt that oddsmakers and bettors put their faith in the right place with a confident 2 ¼-length score.
The first graded tally of Booth’s career came directly after his first stakes conquest, which he earned on Feb. 24 in the Commodore Overnight.
The win that pushed the ascending racer to 5-0-0 through nine starts paid $7 flat.
Seventh Heaven
Lucky 7’s wound up being the theme of Saturday’s Virginia Derby, as 7-1 shot American Promise brought home the $527,500 contest by 7 ¾ lengths.
While it may not have been the gripping finish Colonial Downs’ afternoon crowd hoped for, those in attendance can say they witnessed history.
American Promise rewrote the Colonial Downs record book with his dominant display, crossing the finish line in 1:46.41 to set a new track record.
The unexpected yet dazzling performance also secured the D. Wayne Lukas trainee 50 qualifying points for May’s Kentucky Derby (G1).
Now standing at 2-1-1 across nine starts, American Promise paid $16.80.
Fond Memories
Despite late pressure from rival Early On and 2024’s top rider Flavien Prat, Fondly and Irad Ortiz Jr. would not be denied in Saturday’s $250,000 Virginia Oaks.
The pair saw their lead dwindle as the finish line approached but fought with every ounce they had to hold on by a half-length and land in the winner’s circle for the second time in as many starts.
Still undefeated and now a stakes champion, Fondly has positioned herself well on the path to the Kentucky Oaks (G1). After securing 50 qualifying points Saturday, the Graham Motion trainee currently holds the fourth slot on the Oaks leaderboard.
Closing as the 6-5 favorite, Fondly paid $4.40.
A Word of Advice
In general, sticking your neck out isn’t always the wisest move, but in horse racing, it can be an incredibly effective strategy.
Case in point: A neck’s difference was all Rolando needed to be declared the winner in Saturday afternoon’s $115,000 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Running stride for stride with 5-2 challenger Multiverse in the final stages, rider Tyler Gaffalione got just enough out of Rolando to hold on for the narrow score.
The 3-year-old colt has now landed in the money in all six lifetime starts, with the 6-furlong Hutcheson standing out as his first stakes triumph.
At 6-5, Rolando paid $4.40.