Lough Ness Delights Connections With Upset Win
Much to the delight of her connections and disdain of early pick-4 ticket owners, Lough Ness upset the proverbial apple cart when scoring at 29-1 on debut for trainer James Baker and owner Ann Marie Farm on Saturday afternoon. A daughter of Quality Road, the dark bay 3-year-old filly closed from four lengths back in fourth in the nine-filly field and won by a hard-fought length over a tough foe in Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Steve Asmussen-trained Modify. It was another 6¼ lengths back to third. Jesus Castanon was aboard for the win.
“She looks great today,” Baker said. “It was a perfect trip. She broke a tad slow, but with the quick pace, she was sitting back there by her lonesome and that enabled her to relax and check things out. She finished well, ran straight and didn't swerve with right and left-handed.
“She had some pretty good works and almost had a bullet the other day,” Baker continued. “Then she went in 1:01 by herself for five furlongs which is pretty good for a young filly. Everyone in the race loved their horse, so it was nice to get the win over some good fillies.”
Out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Lough Derg, Lough Ness is a March foal and hails from the family of Grade I winners Fabulous Notion, Cacoethes and Fabulously Fast. Her pedigree offers a unique amalgam of turf, dirt, sprint and route influences.
“Quality Road was a good horse on the dirt, but I am guessing by just looking at her, surface won’t be a problem,” Baker said. “She’ll stretch out, but I’d love to run her one more time sprinting before the end of the Fair Grounds meet, if it goes.
“She was very professional in the paddock and even more relaxed than when she schooled,” he continued. “That’s always nice to see. I have had some good horses in the past, so it’s nice to have a good horse win for you.”
Some of Baker’s best pupils include Grade I Whitney Handicap winner Mahogany Hall and Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes winner Elite Squadron.
WORK TAB
Mark Breen’s Mike Stidham-trained graded stakes winner Jessica’s Star, who was scratched out of Saturday’s Grade III $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap in favor of next weekend’s $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston, work five furlongs in 1:01 flat.
Promising 3-year-old sprinter Quijote, undefeated in two starts, worked a half-mile in 49.20 for trainer Tom Amoss and owner Midwest Thoroughbreds.
LNJ Foxwoods’ runaway maiden winner Cced worked a half-mile in 52.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots