Jevian Toledo Doubles to Take Over Spring Meet Riding Lead
LAUREL, Md. – The Elkstone Group’s Maryland homebred La Casa d’Oro, a 3-year-old daughter of Grade 1 winner Dialed In racing for the first time in her home state, put away a stubborn Visby inside the sixteenth pole to graduate by a length Friday Laurel Park.
Narrowly favored at 2-1 over six rivals in the maiden special weight for sophomore fillies, La Casa d’Oro ran 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.16 over a fast main track in her third career start and first for trainer Brittany Russell.
Out of the Whywhywhy mare Orinoquia, La Casa d’Oro ($6) went unraced at 2 before running fifth in her Jan. 8 debut on the all-weather Tapeta at Gulfstream Park behind Mouffy, who won an optional claiming allowance Friday at Keeneland, and next-out winner Comedic.
Trainer Christophe Clement then put La Casa d’Oro on the dirt for a six-furlong maiden special weight March 12 at Tampa Bay Downs, where she finished fourth behind Gina Romantica, subsequently sixth in the April 10 Beaumont (G3) at Keeneland.
“I haven’t had her very long,” Russell said. “Obviously Christophe did a great job and he had her ready to go. The idea was to run the filly on the grass, and I just don’t think they had the opportunity. That’s why she was in Florida, I believe. They figured, ‘Look, she’s a Maryland-bred. Let’s just send her up and see if she likes Maryland,’ and it looks like she does.”
Jockey Jevian Toledo positioned La Casa d’Oro in the clear three wide in third as Senson and Visby dueled on the front end through a quarter-mile in 22.37 seconds. The half went in 45.87 when Senson began to drop back and Visby took over the top spot, with La Casa d’Oro poised to strike. They straightened for home together and raced side-by-side through the stretch until La Casa d’Oro edged clear late. It was 10 ½ lengths back to Senson in third.
“It was great. It set up really well. Going 5 ½, you’re hoping to be sitting close. It was just a very professional effort,” Russell said. “She’s very classy. She trains and does her job every day. I worked her the other day and she was very professional. She’s just been a pleasure to have since she first stepped into the barn.”
Notes: Jockey Jevian Toledo doubled Friday aboard Caribbean ($6.40) in Race 2 and La Casa d’Oro ($6) in Race 3 to pass seven-pound apprentice Jeiron Barbosa as the spring meet’s leading rider, 13-12, after Barbosa took the Race 9 finale with even-money favorite Rustys Gfivefifty … Jockey Forest Boyce took off her remaining two mounts after being unseated when first-time starter Happy Tappy Sue reared in the starting gate as horses were loading for Race 3. Boyce landed on her back but was up and walking. Happy Tappy Sue was scratched.
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
Photo La Casa d’Oro (MJC)
