Love Appeals victorious in the Autumn Days (Susie Raisher)
By Christian Abdo – NYRA Press Office
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Moyglare Stud Farm’s Kentucky homebred Love Appeals rallied gamely under Dylan Davis to win Friday’s $150,000 Autumn Days, a six-furlong outer turf sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Love Appeals was one of three contestants for trainer Christophe Clement, who also saddled Loon Cry [5th] and Dontlookbackatall [6th]. It was the 4-year-old Speightstown bay who came out on top, winning her second career stakes to go along with the Incredible Revenge in August at Monmouth Park.
Love Appeals broke alertly from post 7 under Davis and settled into sixth position behind a four-way battle for the lead between Risk Threshold, Mz Big Bucks, Dontlookbackatall and the favored Toupie. It was ultimately Risk Threshold from the outermost post 9 who led through an opening quarter-mile in 22.75 seconds on the firm turf.
Risk Threshold continued to lead into the far turn as Love Appeals improved to fourth position with a wide move, but well within striking distance. At the same time, the Manny Franco-piloted Golden Hostess was making up ground with a rail-skimming ride through a half-mile in 45.96.
Davis said he wanted to play the break after he piloted Love Appeals to a last-out stalking second in the Floral Park on October 12 here when defeated a head by Secret Money.
“There was a lot more speed than her previous run. She broke well for me, settled in nice and got into a good rhythm for me into the turn,” said Davis. “She had a nice, clean trip onto the outside and she just really stepped up again. She really impressed me coming down the lane today.”
Risk Threshold held her advantage heading down the lane, but Love Appeals was surging past stablemate Dontlookbackatall at the eighth-pole and making a push for the lead as Golden Hostess was steered off the rail.
Love Appeals, flying down the center of the course, was far too much for the pacesetter and with some insurance over the oncoming Golden Hostess, she stormed to the wire a 1 1/4-length winner in a final time of 1:09.17.
Risk Threshold held third with Toupie completing the superfecta. Loon Cry, Dontlookbackatall, Mohawk Trail, Mz Big Bucks and Union Dolly rounded out the order of finish. Hollywood Walk, All That Magic and Yesternight were scratched along with main track-only entrant Security Code.
“Today, they went quicker, and she was able to close into it a little bit better. She gave me a good finish. I think she finished stronger today than her last race,” said Davis.
Davis, who captured the Belmont at the Big A fall meet which closed on Sunday, was thrilled to add his third victory of the day – also winning aboard the Clement-trained Bettrluckythangood [Race 6] and Index Fund [Race 2] for conditioner Chad Brown.
“To have three winners today was incredible – thank you to Christophe, I got two for him today,” said Davis.
Franco said the Graham Motion-trained Golden Hostess was forced to wait a bit late, but the mare was game from then on. Motion also saddled fourth-place Toupie.
“I had the rail run. I was already there and waiting for the hole to open up, but the winner got the jump. My filly ran good,” Franco said.
Love Appeals is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Gioia Stella, who is a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Nereid and the Grade 1-placed Sea Queen. She banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 13-5-1-4 and returning $16.20 for a $2 win bet.
Live racing resumes Saturday with a 10-race card that features the Grade 3, $200,000 Hill Prince [Race 5], the Listed $150,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship [Race 8] and the Grade 2, $300,000 Red Smith [Race 9]. First post is 11:40 a.m. Eastern.
