Santa Anita: Du Jour wins Kilroe; Ruby Nell takes Buena Vista

With a stretch kick reminiscent of some of Europe’s top turf milers, trainer Bob Baffert’s gelding Du Jour made short work of seven rival older horses in taking Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile by two lengths at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 6-year-old son of Temple City got the trip in 1:33.95 over a turf course rated good in 1:33.95.

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As expected, Goliad sped to the early lead. With First Peace sitting second, Prat had Du Jour well in hand into the first turn, about five lengths off the lead.

Under confident handling, Du Jour improved his position while saving ground at the rail into the far turn while he was about six lengths off the lead. Midway around the turn, Prat left the fence, angling to the outside of long shot Prince Abama. With an eye-catching turn of foot, Du Jour blasted by Goliad turning for home and never was threatened through the lane.

Idle since a close 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, Du Jour was off as the third choice at 3-1 after finishing second in last year’s Kilroe. He paid $8.40, $4.00 and $3.40.

Jill Baffert, the wife of the trainer, and Debbie Lanni own Du Jour, who notched his third graded-stakes victory and improved his overall mark to 17: 6-3-2. With the winner’s share of $180,000, he increased his earnings to $1,118,220.

The 3-2 favorite in search of his fourth consecutive stakes victory, Phil D’Amato-trained Easter was last early. He got the fast pace his connections were hoping for but was second best. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, he paid $3.00 and $2.60 after finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Ah Jeez.

Ridden by Héctor Berrios, Ah Jeez rallied from far back at 61-1 and paid $8.60 show after finishing a half-length in front of First Peace.

Fractions for the Kilroe Mile were 22.82, 45.75, 1:09.75 and 1:22.09.

Ruby Nell lead whole way in Buena Vista

Reunited with Edwin Maldonado following a disappointing run at Gulfstream Park, Richard Mandella-trained Ruby Nell was in complete command throughout as she posted a gate-to-wire victory in the $200,000 Buena Vista (G2).

Ruby Nell won by three-quarters of a length, getting one mile in 1:35.01 over the good-rated turf.

A dedicated frontrunner, Ruby Nell made the lead as expected but was very headstrong in the run up the backside. She pulled at Maldonado, who took a short hold while raised up past the half-mile pole.

Approaching the three-furlong pole, Maldonado dropped his hands, and Ruby Nell seemed to relish the prospect of sprinting for home as she enjoyed a 2 1/2-length edge over highly regarded Bellabel at the quarter pole. From there she held off the late charge of Mouffy in a most impressive effort.

Third when she was beaten by 1 3/4 lengths going 1 1/16 miles in the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2) on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park, Ruby Nell was the 4-5 favorite among a field of nine older fillies and mares today. She paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.60.

A 4-year-old filly by Bolt d’Oro out of the Not For Love mare Rich Love, Ruby Nell is owned by Spendthrift Farm. She notched her second graded-stakes win and fourth overall added-money score. She improved her overall race record to 12: 6-2-2. With the winner’s share of $120,000, she increased her earnings to $491,520.

A close second at one mile on turf in the Megahertz Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita on Feb. 3, Jonathan Thomas-trained Mouffy finished up well at 5-1 and returned $5.00 and $3.60 for finishing second. She was ridden for the first time by Frankie Dettori and had the blinkers taken off Sunday.

France-bred Nadette was another length back in third. She ralied from far back under Héctor Berrios. Trained by Neil Drysdale, she was off at 25-1 and paid $6.20 to show while finishing one length in front of Ireland-bred Be Your Best.

Fractions for the race were 23.55, 46.88, 1:10.81 and 1:22.57.