Buckleupbuttercup romps in Eight Belles

Buckleupbuttercup cruised in the Eight Belles in her stakes debut (JB Faulconer/EquiSport Photos) One day after another upset defeat of Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro), the connections of the Horse of the Year took another one on the chin as their speedy Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union) could only be a tired third in Saturday’s $110,700 Eight Belles S. (G3), left in the wake by Avalon Farms’ homebred BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (Najran). The near 8-1 chance blew by her opposition in midstretch and opened up to lead by 6 1/4 lengths at the wire over the sloppy track. Allowing Decelerator (Dehere) to dictate terms through a quarter-mile in :23, Hot Dixie Chick was guided off the rail and in between Decelerator and Visavis (Indian Charlie) after leaving the backside chute. Hot Dixie Chick seized control through a half-mile in :45 1/5, but could never really shake off either rival and was found wanting at the top of the stretch as Buckleupbuttercup, who was as much as 7 1/2 lengths behind down the backside, moved like a fresh horse under Julien Leparoux to overtake the tiring leaders. The final time for 7 1/2 furlongs was 1:29 2/5. Buckleupbuttercup paid $17.80, $6.80 and $3.60. Visavis stayed on after her outside stalking trip and finished ahead of Hot Dixie Chick by 1 1/2 lengths, returning $6 and $3.40 at 5-1. The 4-5 favorite was two lengths clear of Bell’s Shoes (Mineshaft) for the show and paid $2.20. After Bell’s Shoes came Sister Resistor (Jump Start), Decelerator and Kantstopdancin (Yes It’s True).

The exotics were worth $86.80 (exacta), $201.20 (trifecta) and
$1,133.60 (1-7-2-3 superfecta).

“She’s a very confident filly who shows up every time,” said trainer Eddie
Kenneally of the winner. I knew she would like the slop and there was a lot of
pace in the race. Julien was patient.

“She gained some confidence with racing and has become very professional.
She’s four-for-four on dirt, so it looks like she’ll stay on dirt.”

Buckleupbuttercup broke her maiden by nearly six lengths in a $30,000
maiden claimer at Churchill in November, then placed twice against
allowance company over the Tampa Bay Downs turf. She next won twice on
the Gulfstream dirt against starter allowance company, then was second
against first-level allowance foes in her debut on Polytrack at
Keeneland. This initial venture into stakes company boosts her career
earnings to $118,621 from a consistent line of 7-4-2-1.

The Kentucky-bred Buckleupbuttercup is out of the winning Golden
Borders (Conquistador Cielo), a half-sister to the stakes-winning
producer Lamplight (Spectacular Bid) and the stakes-placed The Lamp is
Lit (Miswaki) and Light the Lamp (Mt. Livermore), who is also a
producer. Buckleupbuttercup has a juvenile half-sister by Yonaguska and
a yearling half-sister by Hat Trick (Jpn). This extended family is also
responsible for the Grade 2 winner Siphonizer (Siphon [Brz]) and English
Group 3 winner Flamenco (Dance Spell).