Executiveprivilege Captures Landaluce
Executiveprivilege, the prohibitive 3-10 favorite, asserted her
superiority in deep stretch against seven other female opponents in the
$150,000 Landaluce.
A $650,000 purchase at a Florida sale in April by owners Mike
Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, the daughter of First Samurai and
the Unaccounted For mare Refugee is 2-for-2 after her 2 ½ length win
Saturday.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who was earning his third
Landaluce victory, but first since Notable Career in 2000, and ridden by
Rafael Bejarano, Executiveprivilege completed the six furlongs over
Cushion Track in 1:11.49. She paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10 while
increasing her bankroll to $120,000.
Able to overcome a terrible start in her 4 ¼ length debut win June
28, Executiveprivilege broke near the lead Saturday, was content to
track while longshot Unusual Way and Wildcat Angie took over, was caught
in some traffic approaching the quarter pole, but Bejarano was able to
find a seam, dove to the inside and came away in the final sixteenth.
“As soon as we broke from the gate, I put her right behind horses
and got her into a good position,’’ said Bejarano after his
Spring/Summer meet high 13th stakes win. “I knew all I had to do was
wait because at the end I was going to have a lot of horse. The race was
over as soon as we hit the stretch and I let her run.’’
Baffert said the primary goal for Executiveprivilege is the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 2 at Santa Anita, but she could
surface next in the $150,000 Grade III Sorrento Stakes Aug. 8 at Del Mar.
“From day one when we breezed her I remember calling (Pegram) and
saying I think we have a female version of Lookin At Lucky,’’ said
Baffert, who has 11 stakes wins at the current meet, more than any other
trainer. “She was actually short her first time, so that race really
helped. I just think she is really gifted.’’
Trainer Peter Miller finished 2-3 with his runners.
Speedinthruthecity, an 8-1 shot who had won at first asking over turf
June 21, was second and Cinderella Stakes winner Miss Empire third – 1 ¼
lengths behind her stablemate – as the 5-1 second choice. Both fillies
are owned by the Barbers and Kevin Tsujihara.
Speedinthruthecity paid $4 and $3 while the show price on Miss Empire was $2.60. Miller said the pair will return in the Sorrento.