Despite a rough start and a 10-wide trip into the lane, Lewis G. Lakin’s
homebred PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) launched a powerful late run to wear down
Authenticat (D’Wildcat) in Sunday’s $185,700
Pocahontas S. (G3), the second of two stakes events on the “Stars of
Tomorrow I” card on opening day at Churchill Downs. Now unbeaten in three
starts, the chestnut filly stamped herself as a smart prospect while finishing
the fast-track, one-turn mile in 1:38 1/5 beneath Julien Leparoux. Leaving the
gate at 10-1, the winner furnished mutuels of $22.60, $11.20 and $6.80.
“It was kind of the same race as the other one (the Iroquois S. [G3]),” said
Leparoux, who swept both of the day’s stakes events, comparing his trips aboard
Court Vision (Gulch) in the Iroquois and Pure Clan in the Pocahontas. “Except
this one I came outside, and the other one, I came on the rail. It was the same
kind of race. It feels good to win. When you win one stakes race it’s nice, but
two is great.”
Pure Clan was emulating her half-brother, Greater Good (Intidab), who also
had success at this historic oval as a juvenile in 2004, capturing the Kentucky
Jockey Club S. (G2) and finishing third in the Iroquois S. (G3). Also like
Greater Good, Pure Clan is trained by Bob Holthus.
Authenticat rallied into contention at the top of the stretch and kicked
clear, but she began to tire inside the final sixteenth before succumbing to
Pure Clan by 1 1/4 lengths. The 8-1 runner-up paid $9.40 and $5.60 and ended the
$150.40 exacta. Sky Mom (Maria’s Mon) crossed the wire another length back in
third after being caught in traffic, returning $4.60 and concluding the $592.40
trifecta at 5-1. With the 5-1 Six Pack Sammy (Yonaguska) in fourth, the 9-11-6-2
superfecta was good for $3,216.
Next came Mims Eppi (Cactus Ridge); Anachini
(Forest Camp); Kadira (Kafwain), who was embroiled in a speed duel through
fractions of :22 2/5 and :45 4/5; Tequilas Dayjur (Dayjur); Bamboo (Menifee);
Bee’s Wax (Quiet American); Bound To (Boundary); Valentine Fever (Stormin
Fever); Cape Discovery (Cape Town); and Steamy Ridge (Snow Ridge), who argued
the early pace with Kadira.
Pure Clan had captured her first two starts on the turf, an Ellis Park maiden
by 7 3/4 lengths and a Keeneland allowance by 1 3/4 lengths. She has now earned
$149,921.
Bred in the Bluegrass State, Pure Clan is out of Grade 3 heroine Gather the
Clan (Ire) (General Assembly), and she has an unnamed yearling half-sister by
Cherokee Run. Her second dam is What a Summer (What Luck), champion sprinter of
1977.
Holthus indicated that Pure Clan would probably reappear in the November 24
Golden Rod S. (G2) on the closing day “Stars of Tomorrow II” program.