Silver Dust Makes it Look Easy in Louisiana Stakes
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Photo: Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir
Silver Dust wins the Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course
Tom Durant's Silver Dust remained his consistent self in his 6-year-old debut, pulling away to win the $97,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The Tapit gelding, who won only his second outing during his first 15 starts, has now won or placed in nine of 10 starts since. The Louisiana was his third graded stakes score after taking the Mineshaft Handicap (G3) and West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3) last year for trainer Bret Calhoun.
With Jack Gilligan aboard, Silver Dust sat off the pace and raced in the two and three paths early. Gun It drove for the lead and set fractions of :24.80 and :48.16 through a half-mile, but his 1 1/2-length lead diminished to a head by the time he led three-quarters in 1:12.58.
Silver Dust loomed on the outside and kicked away at the quarter pole. A year ago, when the race was a listed event, he was second, beaten three-quarters of a length. This time, he pulled away to win by 4 1/4 lengths. He was under a hand ride in the final 70 yards and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.29 on a fast track.
Blended Citizen rallied from fifth to finish second. Gun It held for third over Roiland, Tone Broke, and Kukulkan.
Durant went to $510,000 to purchase Silver Dust from de Meric Sales at the 2016 Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. De Meric purchased the gray for $270,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for breeder Don Alberto Corporation.
Silver Dust hails from the same female family as grade 1 winner and sire Cross Traffic . He was bred in Kentucky out of the stakes-winning Hard Spun mare Filare l'Oro, who last foaled an Empire Maker colt in 2018. Last year, Filare l'Oro was reportedly bred to Frosted .
From 25 starts, Silver Dust has collected a 6-7-2 record and earnings of $702,277.
Video: Louisiana S. (G3)
Bobby's Wicked One Strolls Home in Duncan F. Kenner
Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables' Bobby's Wicked One made easy work of two rivals in the $90,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes. The Al Stall Jr. trainee was a 4 1/4-length winner in the six-furlong event, defeating grade 1 winner Hog Creek Hustle for his second consecutive stakes win.
With Miguel Mena up, Bobby's Wicked One broke from post 2 and brushed with Hog Creek Hustle before setting fractions of :22.02 and :44.87 while three lengths in front. The 5-year-old son of Speightstown lengthened his lead to complete the six-furlong race in 1:08.55. Do Share was third behind Hog Creek Hustle.
Bobby's Wicked One was bred in Kentucky by Ramona Bass out of the Ghostzapper mare Wicked Charm, a half sister to champion and sire English Channel . Wicked Charm foaled a Tourist colt last year before revisiting Speightstown.