DADDYS Lil Darling, who finished runner-up four times in Grade 1 company in 2017 and endured a fruitless trip to Britain where she bolted before the Oaks at Epsom, gained a deserved break through at top level to win the Grade 1 American Oaks over last weekend at Santa Anita.
The now four-year-old daughter of Scat Daddy, trained by Kenny McPeek and owned by Normandy Farm, has switched between the dirt and the turf through her career.
At two she was second in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes on dirt and at the beginning of her three-year-old year she was also second in Central Bank Ashland Stakes and the Kentucky Oaks, both Grade 1s.
The consistent filly picked up her first win of 2017 in the Dueling Ground Oaks during Kentucky Downs’ all turf meet and finished off the year by notching that Grade 1 win.
Mike Smith partnered the filly to a stalking trip, never far from pace-setter Coachwhip. The favourite, the Chad Brown-trained New Money Honey, made her move through the turn, but Daddys Lil Darling went by in the stretch, able to hold off Irish-bred Madam Dancealot in the year’s final Grade 1. Madam Dancealot ran late for a close second by a half-length with outsider Kathy’s Song third.
“I think a good horse runs over any surface given the opportunity,” McPeek said, “but I’ve always felt she was a better grass horse in the long run. It’s probably a little easier on it because she gets over it.”
Also on the Santa Anita card the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes over nine furlongs on turf saw and Irish-bred one, two, three. Midnight Crossing a filly by Dark Angel, bred by Tom and Geraldine Molan came home half a length clear of Elysea’s World (Champs Elysees) and Laseen (Dylan Thomas).
Stronach award
TOP owner, breeder, and racetrack owner, Frank Stronach will receive the Award of Merit at the 47th annual Eclipse Awards dinner and ceremony at Gulfstream Park on January 25th.
Stronach established Adena Springs near Versailles, Kentucky, in 1989 and made it into a breeding powerhouse. Stronach owns and operates Adena Springs Farm, with locations in Kentucky, Florida, and Canada.
He enjoyed success as an owner and breeder, with Awesome Again winning the 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Stronach expanded his passion into racetrack acquisition and acquired racetracks under the Magna Entertainment brand. He bought Santa Anita Park in 1998 and Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields the following year. He also now owns Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes, Laurel Park and Lone Star Park followed in 2002. In a short time, Magna Entertainment became the largest racetrack operator in North America.
Through a reorganisation in 2007, the tracks became owned under the name of The Stronach Group, with Frank Stronach as its founder and initial chairman.
Stronach said: “I am flattered and touched to be recognised with the prestigious Eclipse Award of Merit. Horses and racing have been my passion, my labour of love, since I was a boy.
“It’s been an honour to be part of this great sport. What’s most important, however, has been working and being around the incredible horses. I want to share this award with all of those who have contributed to all our success.”
PEGASUS
Stronach was also the instigator of the Pegasus World Cup for which 10 of the 12 slots are reported to have been filled for the 2018 running on January 27th at Gulfstream.
The owners and probable connections of the 10 spots in the starting gate are as follows: Gun Runner, West Coast, Collected, Toast Of New York, War Story, Stellar Wind Gunnevera, Seeking The Soul, Giant Expectations and Game Over.
Frank Stronach himself owns one spot in the gate, though it is unknown what horse might occupy that start.