Great Hot, Sutherland Win Raven Run
Southern
California invaders Great Hot (BRZ) and jockey Chantal Sutherland held
off Kentucky-based Groupie Doll and jockey Greta Kuntzweiler to win the
13th running of the $250,000 Lexus Raven Run (G2) before a crowd of 22,591 at Keeneland on Saturday.
Dr.
Diamonds Prize, the 76-1 longshot, led the field of 12 3-year-old
fillies racing seven furlongs through fractions of :22.07, :44.62 and
1:08.87 with Honey Chile and Mizdirection in closest pursuit and Great
Hot racing behind the early leaders. Around the turn, Sutherland moved
Great Hot to the rail and passed the leaders while Groupie Doll raced
six wide and launched her charge. The
two were in a match race to the finish with Dr. Diamonds Prize, 7-2
favorite Mizdirection and Strike the Moon battling for third. Great Hot
finished a head in front of Groupie Doll.
Great Hot returned $10.40, $5.40 and $3.80. Groupie Doll paid $5.40 and $3.60 to place. Dr. Diamonds Prize crossed the finish in third, but was disqualified for interference in the stretch and moved to fourth. Mizdirection was elevated to third, returning $4 with Garrett Gomez aboard.
Following Dr. Diamonds Prize in order were Strike the Moon, Funny Sunny, Button Girl, Hot Summer, Ms. Cruisen’, Grandacious, Honey Chile and Roman Treasure.
A homebred racing for Luiz Dannemann’s Coudelaria Jessica, Great Hot made her North American debut in Southern California in March. She won the Torrey Pines at Del Mar on September 4 and was third behind Zazu and Ultra Blend in the Lady’s Secret (G1) at Santa Anita on October 1.
Victory in the Lexus Raven Run was worth $150,000, pushing Great Hot’s career earnings to $291,265 with four wins in seven starts. Trainer A.C. Avila said the 3-year-old Orientate filly was headed to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on November 4-5 at Churchill Downs.