Runway Model runs away with Golden Rod
Naveed Chowhan’s RUNWAY MODEL (Petionville) stalked the pace
for the first half of Saturday’s $215,400 Golden Rod S. (G2) at
Churchill Downs before collaring the leaders at the quarter pole
and drawing clear in the stretch. The even-money favorite stopped
the clock in 1:45 4/5 for the 1 1/16-mile fast track affair.
Content to rate fourth off an opening quarter in :24, jockey
Eddie Martin Jr. asked the juvenile miss for her best run after a
half mile in :47 2/5. The dark bay responded, catching the
pacesetting Summerly (Summer Squall) after three quarters in 1:13
and drawing clear, getting the mile in 1:39. John McKee and his
mount Kota (Indian Charlie) made a nice late run at 8-1, but were
still three lengths back at the wire. Mille Lacs (Unbridled) got
up late to catch In the Gold (Golden Missile) for fourth by a
neck. Quiet Optimism (Deputy Minister), who pressed the pace
early, rounded out the field.
Runway Model returned $4.20, $2.80 and $2.80 on top of the $29.60
exacta. Kota’s late run garnered the place spot by 1 3/4 lengths
and she was worth $4.60 and $3.80. Summerly held for third,
giving back $5.20 and completing a $146.60 trifecta. The 1-5-6-3
superfecta ($1) paid $240.90.
Bred in Kentucky by Everest Stables Inc., Runway Model
improves her mark to 10-4-2-2 with earnings of $580,598. She
previously took the Alcibiades S. (G2) at Keeneland two back
before finishing a troubled third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
Fillies (G1) in her last outing. The dark bay is out of the
multiple stakes-winning mare Ticket to Houston (Houston) and is a
half-sister to Turf Paradise Derby hero Mambo Train (Kingmambo).
In addition, she is a half-sister to an unnamed yearling filly by
Forest Wildcat and a full sister to an unnamed weanling filly.