Healthy Prat Returns to Winner's Circle
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Photo: Benoit Photography
Flavien Prat
Sidelined after sustaining multiple spinal fractures and a collapsed lung during a spill at Los Alamitos Race Course Sept. 17, jockey Flavien Prat returned to racing Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park and the native Frenchman registered his first win on the comeback trail a day later in the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes aboard Belvoir Bay.
Prat guided the Peter Miller-trained Belvoir Bay to an emphatic 7 1/4-length win while covering the mile on turf in 1:36.15.
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The English-bred 2-year-old daughter of Equiano sat a close second behind eventual third-place finisher Sweet Queen for the first half-mile and then assumed command, opening up by six lengths as the field straightened for home.
Belvoir Bay, who is owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber, paid $12.20, $5, and $4.
"It's a good sensation," said Prat, who was accompanied by his team of physical therapists in the winner's circle. "My body healing is a gift."