2007 Golden Rod Stakes
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The juvenile filly division competed in the $250,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) over the same distance and surface, with its winner earning a nomination to the 2008 Kentucky Oaks. Debut winner Turn Away, who demolished her maiden field by 9 lengths, was sent off at even money over Pocahontas winner Pure Clan, the 3-1 second choice, undefeated in three career starts, and Sunday Holiday at 5-1, graded stakes placed in the Tempted and the Frizette.
20-1 Morakami battled on the pace with 6-1 C J's Leelee through a quarter in 24.75 and a half in 48.82, while being stalked by Sunday Holiday in third. Turn Away say in fourth down the backstretch. On the far turn, Morakami tired and dropped from contention allowing C J's Leelee to inherit the lead into the stretch. However, Pure Clan closed down the center of the track to win going away by 2 lengths in 1:43.59. It was just 3/4 length back from C J's Leelee to Turn Away who had to alter course in the lane and couldn't improve her position.
Winning trainer Robert Holthus said, "She has really been a surprise. When she came from the farm no one really had a lot of high hopes for her, but she turned into a good one. It has been a pleasant surprise. When she was that close turning for home, I thought we would get it. We are going to take her to Oaklawn Park and give her about 30 days off, and she will probably make her first start back in March."
Jockey Julien Leparoux added, "At the 1/4 pole, she really kicked in.
She is getting better every race. Last time I was on her, she was a little green, but today she was much better."
Results chart
On to the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes
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