Sign Runs Last in Return from Lengthy Layoff
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Sign, winner of the 2012 Pocahontas Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, was distanced March 12 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in her return to the races following a lengthy layoff.
The 4-year-old Pulpit filly, who won both of her only previous starts in 2012, was making her third career outing for trainer Al Stall Jr. It was her first start since winning the Oct. 28 Pocahontas going a mile at Churchill two years ago.
The Pocahontas victory resulted in action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which disqualified the filly to last after she tested positive for the muscle relaxer methocarbamol (Robaxin). Owners Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider appealed the stewards' disqualification along with Stall, however, and Sign was reinstated as the winner following a settlement announced by the comission in July 2013 (full story here).
Racing at Fair Grounds March 12 in a 5 1/2-furlong off-the-turf allowance event with a purse of $43,700, Sign was last of seven to break and never fired. Jockey Rosie Napravnik wrapped up on the 8-5 favorite and galloped her under the line well behind six others; 9-5 second choice Anahauc was the winner.
Sign, who underwent surgery for a chipped hind ankle sustained a short time after her Pocahontas win, is a Claiborne/Dilschneider homebred out of the Mighty mare Cross.