LAUREL, Md. – Bush Racing Stable, Liberty House Racing, BlackRidge Stables and George Saufley’s Kaylasaurus came flying down the center of the track to pass fellow stakes winners Street Lute, Princess Kokachin and Prodigy Dollfor a three-quarter-length triumph in Saturday’s $100,000 Primonetta.
Kaylasaurus ($5.20), under jockey Horacio Karamanos, earned her second stakes victory following a $25,000 claim by trainer Tim Kreiser last fall, winning for the first time since the Dec. 26 Willa On the Move at Laurel.
“She’s always been a pretty nice horse,” winning trainer Tim Kreiser said. “She’s definitely filled out, and I think she’s a lot stronger right now.”
Princess Kokachin, who beat Kaylasaurus by less than a length in a 5 ½-furlong allowance March 13 at Laurel, the last start for both horses, was quick from the gate and took the field through a quarter-mile in 23.37 seconds and a half in 46.49. Paisley Singing, sent off at 50-1, pressed from the inside while Prodigy Doll raced in the clear three wide in third with Street Lute another path out.
Karamanos gave Kaylasaurus clear run from the far outside post and followed Street Lute when the eight-time stakes winner making her first start since November ranged up on the leaders midway around the turn. Kaylasaurus was set down for the drive and was not affected when Street Lute drifted out slightly in mid-stretch, powering past the leaders and turning back Prodigy Doll late to win in 1:10.74 over a fast main track.
“Actually I was worried at the three-eighths pole that we were too close,” Kreiser said. “I guess Horacio knows her better than I do. He did what he wanted to do and it worked out.”
Prodigy Doll was second 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Street Lute, with Princess Kokachin another three-quarters of a length back in third. Princess Kokachin, Hope Has a Name and Paisley Singing completed the order of finish. Cinnabunny was scratched.
“She got a good break today,” Karamanos said. “The speed was going a little bit, not too far, but my filly was really comfortable. Usually she takes a little time to pick it up, but today she was right behind the first group. I just waited for the right moment and swung outside. Turning for home I let her run and she gave me a beautiful kick.”
Kaylasaurus, a 6-year-old daughter of Munnings, had been winless in three previous starts this year with a second in the Jan. 29 What a Summer and a fourth in the Feb. 19 Barbara Fritchie (G3), the latter beaten less than two lengths.
“Anyone who’s been in this sport, it takes a village just to get a horse to a stakes race let alone win it,” co-owner Dave Bushey said. “This is really special.”
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
Photo: Kaylasaurus (MJC)
