Du Jour victorious in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.— With a stretch kick reminiscent of some of Europe’s top turf milers, Bob Baffert’s Du Jour made short work of seven rival older horses in taking Sunday’s Grade I, $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile by two lengths. Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 6-year-old Temple City gelding got the trip over a turf course rated “good” in 1:33.95.
As expected, Goliad sped to the early lead and 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 about six off the lead.
Mid-way around the turn, Prat left the fence, angling to the outside of longshot Prince Abama, and with an eye-catching turn of foot, blasted by Goliad turning for home and was never threatened through the lane.
Idle since a close 10th in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Mile here on Nov. 4, Du Jour, second in last year’s Kilroe, was off as the third choice at 3-1 and paid $8.40, $4.00 and $3.40.
Owned by Jill Baffert and Debbie Lanni, Du Jour 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’s Easter, last early, got the fast pace his connections were hoping for but was second best on the day. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, he paid $3.00 and $2.60 while finishing 1 ¾ lengths in front of Ah Jeez.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Ah Jeez rallied from far back at 61-1 and paid $8.60 show while finishing a half length in front of First Peace.
Fractions on the Kilroe Mile were 22.82, 45.75, 1:09.75 and 1:22.09.
GRADE I, $300,000 FRANK E. KILROE MILE STAKES QUOTES
JOCKEY QUOTES
FLAVIEN PRAT, DU JOUR, WINNER: “We had a great ride. The horse showed some speed then settled down nicely down the backside. You always run well fresh, and on paper it seemed like this race was going to have a good amount of pace. My job was just to make sure we were in a comfortable zone, so he was able to show his talent through the final stretch.”
OWNER QUOTES
DEBBIE LANNI, DU JOUR, WINNER: “It was so exciting, so I won’t say unexpected but very exciting. In the Breeders’ Cup he just wasn’t himself I don’t think He only finished three and a half lengths behind, but three and a half short.”
NOTES: The winning trainer is Bob Baffert. The winning owners are Natalie J. Baffert and Debbie Lanni.
