Ava's Grace is Laoban's First Winner
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Photo: Coady Photography
Ava's Grace became the first winner for freshman sire Laoban by closing from fifth in her debut July 3 at Ellis Park.
Ava's Grace ($15.60) became the first winner for freshman sire Laoban by closing from fifth to take a $20,200 maiden special weight race in her debut July 3 at Ellis Park.
The 2-year-old filly outran runner-up Sariah Sariah and favored Zebra Cake, the race's third-place finisher, completing five furlongs on a fast track in :59.38 under David Cohen. Robertino Diodoro trained the winner, who hit the wire a half-length in front.
Bred in Kentucky by her owner, Southern Equine Stable, Ava's Grace is the fifth winner out of the mare Cover Girl Elle (by Out of Place), whom Southern Equine also campaigned. Other progeny of her dam include Signature Cat (by Discreet Cat), a four-time winner of $175,690, and Gabrielleelizabeth (by Bellamy Road), another four-race winner, this one with earnings of $83,005.
Laoban, who upset the 2016 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at odds of 27-1, defeating Creator, Mohaymen , and Destin , is a 7-year-old son of Uncle Mo who stands for a $5,000 fee at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, N.Y. He also ran second in the Gotham Stakes (G3) and third in the Sham Stakes (G3) in 2016. He was retired with earnings of $526,250 from nine starts for owners McCormick Racing and Southern Equine.
Two other 2-year-olds by Laoban have placed this year, including Jill's a Hot Mess, who finished second June 18 in a maiden special weight race for New York-breds at Belmont Park.