Lakland Farm’s homebred PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) unleashed a sustained late run
to mow down Criticism (GB) (Machiavellian) in Saturday’s $600,000
Flower
Bowl Invitational S. (G1) at Belmont Park. Trained by Bob Holthus and ridden
by Julien Leparoux, the four-year-old filly pulled 2 3/4 lengths clear and
finished 1 1/4 miles on the soft inner turf in 2:12 2/5. Pure Clan, the 5-2
third choice, returned $7.20, $3.50 and $2.50.
In the early going, Leamington (Pleasant Tap) led the early crawl through
splits of :26 4/5, :53 4/5, 1:20 2/5 and 1:46 3/5. Criticism took up a close
stalking role, just to the outside of defending Flower Bowl champion and 2-1
favorite Dynaforce (Dynaformer). Queen of Hearts (Thunder Gulch) also raced in a
tracking position, while Pure Clan bided her time in fifth.
Turning for home, as Dynaforce faded out of contention, Criticism launched
her bid and soon overtook the longtime leader. Although she opened up a daylight
lead in midstretch, it was not enough of a cushion to insulate her from the late
rush of Pure Clan. Angling to the outside for the drive, Pure Clan finished with
a flourish and rolled past Criticism in deep stretch.
“She ran well today,” Leparoux said. “We wanted her behind the pace so she
would make a big run at the end. The turf course was really soft and she had to
work hard at it in the stretch. Still, she got the job done.”
“She ran a great race,” Holthus said. “I’m glad it’s over. She showed more
speed today than normal. She was in the race all the way. Julien had confidence.
It’s always good to get Grade 1s.”
Criticism outperformed her 10-1 odds in a fine runner-up effort, paying $7.80
and $4.10.
“We were pleased with her,” Criticism’s trainer, Tom Albertrani, said. “She
came back to her previous races, found her best stride. We were really happy
with the way she had been coming into this race since she was training so well.
Today, she fired her shot. She is definitely better going longer.”
Another 1 1/4 lengths back came Queen of Hearts, and the 27-1 longest shot on
the board yielded $7.10 to show. The exotics were worth $72 (exacta), $751 (trifecta)
and $3,384 (3-5-6-7 superfecta) with English shipper Moneycantbuymelove (Ire)
(Pivotal) in fourth. Leamington, Dynaforce and Beauty O’ Gwaun (Ire) (Rainbow
Quest) completed the order under the wire, while Carribean Sunset (Ire) (Danehill
Dancer) was withdrawn.
A top-class performer for three straight seasons, Pure Clan was avenging her
defeat at Dynaforce’s hands in the August 8 Beverly D. S. (G1), where she
rallied belatedly for third. This was her second Grade 1 prize, following her
victory in the 2008 American Oaks Invitational S. (G1) at Hollywood Park. She
also owns wins in the Golden Rod S. (G2) and Pocahontas S. (G3) at two, the
Regret S. (G3) at three and the Modesty H. (G3) this summer. Pure Clan has
compiled a total of six graded stakes placings, including the Kentucky Oaks (G1)
and Garden City S. (G1). The chestnut now sports a mark of 15-8-3-3 with
$1,627,498 in earnings.
Bred in Kentucky by A. Lakin & Sons Inc., Pure Clan is out of Grade 3 heroine
Gather the Clan (Ire) (General Assembly), who is also responsible for Grade 2
winner Greater Good (Intidab) and an unnamed yearling colt by Gone West. Gather
the Clan’s daughters have produced the likes of Frizette S. (G1) heroine Sky
Diva (Sky Mesa) and Deceit S. romper Yes She’s a Lady (Yes It’s True). Pure
Clan’s second dam is What a Summer (What Luck), champion sprinter of 1977.
While Holthus had previously stated that Pure Clan was unlikely to proceed to
the November 6 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), Albertrani indicated that
Criticism could head to Santa Anita.
“We are considering bringing her to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf,”
Albertrani said after the Flower Bowl.