Oliviaofthedesert (center #5) gets a head in front of Wave Of Goodness to win the 15th running of the Blushing K.D. Stakes at Fair Grounds. (Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir)
“Road to the Derby Kickoff Day”
Fair Grounds Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. – With a stalk and pounce victory in Monday’s $100,000 Blushing K. D. Stakes, Oliviaofthedesert’s first start in the Wayne Catalano barn was a memorable one.
Stalking early fractions of :24.23 and :50.75 set by eventual last place finisher Mo Clare’s over a firm Stall-Wilson turf course with the rails 34 feet out, Susan Moulton’s Oliviaofthedesert made an inside bid on the turn for home, tipped out four-wide and ran down Wave of Goodness, who had gotten the jump on her, to score by a desperate head under Corey Lanerie. The 2-1 favorite Lake Lucerne settled for third.
“She broke well, and it set up the way we thought,” said Lanerie, who scored a hat trick of wins on the day. “We didn’t want to get too far back. She ended up being five or six lengths out the back, but she was really comfortable and made her run. The three horse (Wave of Goodness) got the jump on me and I was worried I wouldn’t catch her in the end, but (Wayne) Catalano did a great job having her ready. She grinded it out and got the job done.”
For Blushing K.D., Race 6, forward to 9:00.
Stopping the clock at 1:50.10, Oliviaofthedesert returned $12.00. Island Hideaway, Carpe Vinum and Mo Clare’s completed the order of finish.
“She’s a very nice filly,” Catalano said. “Thanks to Susan (owner Moulton) for giving me the opportunity. The filly is unbelievable. The grooms deserve the credit. A nice effort by the whole team. ”
With the win, Oliviaofthedesert’s resume now reads 22-6-1-3 for $429,260.
“Wayne (trainer Catalano) is the one who got me back in the (horse) business after a lot of heartache,” said owner Susan Moultan. “He is so kind to the horses. They know it and I know it too.”
Racing at Fair Grounds is back on Thursday with the first post scheduled for 1:15 p.m CT and a card of eight races on the dirt. On Saturday, Dec 31, the stakes action picks back up with the $100,000 Pago Hop, $100,000 Woodchopper, the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity (Boys), and the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity (Girls).
