Live Oak Plantation’s IN THE GOLD (Golden Missile) earned her first stakes
win with a strong finish in Thursday’s $250,000
Beaumont S. (G2), circling her
rivals on the far turn to reach the lead at the top of the stretch. The Nick
Zito-trained sophomore filly dueled with runner-up Aspen Tree (Holy Bull) before
pulling away late for a 1 1/4-length score. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, In the
Gold finished the about seven-furlong test over the fast Beard Course in 1:26,
and the 9-5 favorite returned $5.80, $3 and $2.20 to her supporters.
“This is a nice filly. She has a great late kick,” Bejarano said. “I would
love to ride her in the (Kentucky) Oaks (G1).”
Brooke’s Halo (Southern Halo) held a one-length advantage through an opening
quarter-mile mile in :22 3/5, but Punch Appeal (Successful Appeal) cruised right
past to take a one-length edge through four furlongs in :45 3/5. The eventual
winner launched her rally from the back of the pack entering the bend and flew
by the leaders while four-wide approaching the head of the lane. Aspen Tree was
game along the rail, but could not match strides in the final sixteenth.
The runner-up, who finished 11 lengths better than third at 7-2, was good for
$4.20 and $2.80. Hot Storm (Stormy Atlantic) completed the top three and paid
$2.40. Next came Punch Appeal and Brooke’s Halo. The exotics totaled $20.20
(exacta), $46.20 (trifecta) and $130.40 for the 3-1-4-5 superfecta.
Bred in Kentucky by Whitewood Stable Inc., In the Gold was purchased as a yearling
for $250,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and has now earned $317,862 from
a 8-3-3-1 line. She was coming off a close runner-up finish in the Bonnie Miss
S. (G2) and finished second to Sis City (Slew City Slew) in the Davona Dale S.
(G2) prior to that. The chestnut also placed in the Alcibiades S. (G2) at two.
Out of Grade 2 winner Incinerate (Groovy), In the Gold is a half-sister to
stakes winner High Blitz (Lucky Lionel) and an unnamed 2005 filly by Pulpit.