Riley Mott Saddles Winner for Claiborne Farm

Trainer Riley Mott's third and most lucrative career victory to date came with favored Traverse  in a $106,000 second-level allowance for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 12 at Oaklawn Park under leading rider Cristian Torres.

The victory was noteworthy for another reason, too, since it marked Mott's first for Kentucky's famed Claiborne Farm, which also bred the 4-year-old daughter of Street Sense  .

"The colors and the silks and their name speak for themselves," Mott said. "That was an allowance race, but I think it could do a lot for my career down the line."

Mott, 31, went out on his own Nov. 1 after assisting his father, Bill Mott, for eight years. Claiborne has had a long relationship with Bill Mott, campaigning, among others, graded stakes-winning homebreds Stroll, Watch, and Wend with the Hall of Fame trainer. Claiborne, in partnership with Adele Dilschneider, also bred and raced millionaire multiple grade 1 winner Elate , who was also trained by Mott.

"(Traverse is) the only one I have for Claiborne, but I'm meant to get some 2-year-olds," Mott said. "They did me a favor by sending me a nice horse to start out with. Pretty cool."

The Feb. 12 victory was the third in seven lifetime starts for Traverse and moved her earnings to $188,065. Mott said Traverse "possibly" could start again at the 2022-2023 Oaklawn meeting.

Traverse represented the second victory at the Oaklawn meeting for Mott, who is wintering in Hot Springs.