Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Wicked Halo swept to the front at the top of the stretch and breezed to a four-length victory in the 24th running of the $350,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday at Keeneland.
About 90 minutes earlier, Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Gunite cruised to a 3 3/4-length victory in the 14th running of the $250,000 Perryville, a listed stakes for 3-year-olds.
Steve Asmussen trains both runners, and Tyler Gaffalione rode both winners.
The Raven Run victory was the third of the afternoon for Asmussen and gave Gaffalione a second Raven Run victory to go with the 2018 triumph on Shamrock Rose.
In this year's edition of the Raven Run, Smash Ticket and Freedom Speaks led the field of nine through fractions of :22.73 and :46.09 with Wicked Halo racing in the three path just off the flank of Freedom Speaks.
Midway on the far turn, Wicked Halo drew on even terms with the leaders. By the time the field reached the top of the stretch, she had a clear advantage and raced to the finish under no pressure.
Wicked Halo completed the seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:24.30 to notch her third graded stakes victory and fifth overall. She could start next in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) in two weeks at Keeneland.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Gun Runner out of the Tapit mare Just Wicked, Wicked Halo improved her record to 6-0-3 from 10 career starts in winning her fourth consecutive start. Saturday's victory was worth $206,150 and increased her earnings to $780,200.
Wicked Halo returned $7.04 as the favorite in the field of nine. Fingal's Cave rallied for second under Joel Rosario and finished a neck in front of Midnight Stroll.
It was another 3¾ lengths back to Freedom Speaks, who was followed in order by Last Leaf, Smash Ticket, Colorful Mischief, Republique and Union Lake.
Lexus Raven Run (G2) Quotes
Steve Asmussen (winning trainer of Wicked Halo and Perryville victor Gunite; both are 3-year-olds by Gun Runner): “(Winning the two stakes is) extremely special. Their level of ability is obvious, but the fact that they thrive with racing and have continued to get better is so rare. I think she (Wicked Halo) and Gunite are very similar in the fact that they've just accepted their job and continuously gotten faster. Obviously, they're very sound horses – great homebreds for Winchell (Thoroughbreds). I'm very fortunate to have them.”
On whether the Breeders' Cup also is on the table for Wicked Halo: “Yes.”
Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider):
On the similarity of Wicked Halo's race to Gaffalione's earlier win in the Perryville on Gunite: “Definitely seemed that way. She did everything very easily. I'm just so thankful I was able to get the opportunity to steer them around there. It was a lot of fun today.”
Joel Rosario (rider of runner-up Fingal's Cave): “She broke fine. Right away I got pinched a little bit, so I had to take hold. I thought we were going to be a little more in the race (from the beginning). She did well after that. She came running at the end, so that was good. We were just second best.”
Luis Saez (rider of third-place finisher Midnight Stroll): “She tried. She ran her race. The winner is a tough filly. I thought she (Midnight Stroll) was going to hold on for second, but she got pretty tired.”
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