Louvain closes with a rush in Miesque
Edmund Gann’s LOUVAIN (Ire) (Sinndar) started slow and made a
near last-to-first move in the stretch of Friday’s first division
of the $75,000 Miesque S. (G3) at Hollywood Park to take the one-mile
firm turf event by two lengths. Sent off at 2-1, the juvenile
miss stopped the clock in 1:37 for trainer Bobby Frankel under
Ramon Dominguez.
A bit slow to begin, Louvain saved ground in last early and
moved up just off the rail entering the turn, tracking splits of
:24 1/5, :48 4/5, 1:13, and 1:25 1/5. The bay gained the lead
after swinging three-wide while making the turn for home and
pulled clear under light whipping. Post-time favorite Royal
Copenhagen (Fr) (Inchinor [GB]) made a bid in midstretch and then
held on well for second, just getting up over La Maitresse (Ire)
(Desert King) by a neck.
The three European invaders all hit the board, with the
Frankel-trained lassie returning $6, $3.20, and $3. Royal
Copenhagen gave back $3.20 and $2.80, completing a $7.20 exacta ($1).
La Maitresse, sent off at 11-1, was worth $4.20 and completed the
$34.70 trifecta ($1). Lunar Flight (Flying Continental) came
next, finishing off the $251.90, 1-5-3-8 superfecta ($1). They
were followed by Kachina Dream (Falstaff), Lady Truffles (Candi’s
Gold) and Crystal House (Chester House). Culture Clash (Petionville)
was steadied off heels into the first turn and pulled up lame on
the backstretch. She was vanned off the track.
This was Louvain’s first stakes score. She previously raced in
Europe and placed in a pair of listed French events. Bred in
Ireland by Twelve Oaks Stud Establishment, the juvenile improved
her mark to 6-2-2-2 and increased her earnings to $87,143. She is
the first foal out of the Group 2-placed Flanders (Common Grounds).