On the weekend that legendary horseman Maurice Zilber, who conditioned
Dahlia, passed away, it was somewhat fitting that the winning trainer of the
race that bears that famous filly’s name would hog the spotlight on closing day
of the Hollywood Park fall meet on Sunday. French expatriate Christophe Clement
reached the winner’s circle for the 1,000th time in his North American career
when Jon Kelly et al’s VACARE (Lear Fan) wore down the early leaders to take the
$150,000
Dahlia H. (G2) by a length under Jose Valdivia Jr. The 4-5 choice in a field
of eight fillies and mares, Vacare returned $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40.
In My Glory (Honour and Glory) established a clear lead in the early stages,
up by two lengths through an opening quarter in :24 4/5 and by 1 1/2 lengths
after a half in :50. Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy) tracked in second while
Vacare enjoyed a ground-saving trip in fourth just to the inside of Green Lyons
(Ire) (Green Desert). Gotta Have Her was sent after In My Glory around the far
turn, and those two were separated by a head after six furlongs in 1:14 3/5.
With Green Lyons failing to go on turning for home, Vacare moved off the inside
and steadily wore down the top pair in the final furlong, finishing 1 1/16 miles
on the firm turf in 1:43.
Gotta Have Her edged past In My Glory by a half-length for second, returning
$3.60 and $2.80 as the 7-2 second choice. The $1 exacta brought back a measly
$5.80. In My Glory, at nearly 19-1, gave back $5.40 while capping the $1
trifecta payoff of $44.90. I Can See (Flying Chevron) was 3 1/4 lengths back in
fourth and sealed the $1 superfecta of $272.30 (1-6-11-3). Next under the line
were Lady Digby (Grand Slam), Green Lyons, Belle Alure (Ire) (Numerous) and
Don’t Forget Faith (Victory Gallop). The field was reduced by one-third with the
scratches of Place de l’Etoile (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), Sensational Love (War
Chant), Storybook (UAE) (Halling) and Valbenny (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]).
Vacare now sports a mark of 14-8-2-1 with $1,213,706 in her account. She
began her career under the direction of Chris Block, capturing the Queen
Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup (G1) and Pucker Up S. (G3) during her
perfect 2006 campaign, when she went four-for-four. Sold to Kelly for $2.8
million at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton November sale, Vacare was transferred to
Clement. She captured her 2007 debut in the Magna Distaff S. at Gulfstream by a
cozy length before suffering her first career loss when third in the Gamely S.
(G1). After finishing a troubled second to Wait a While (Maria’s Mon) in the
Ballston Spa H. (G2), the bay concluded her season with a sharp half-length
score over Precious Kitten (Catienus) in the First Lady S. (G2).
Vacare turned in the worst efforts of her career in her first two starts of
2008, winding up eighth in the Just a Game S. (G1) and fourth in the Diana S.
(G1), but rebounded to capture the Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar. Prior to this
score, Vacare finished second in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) and fifth in the
Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).
Bred by Lothenbach Stables in Kentucky, the five-year-old is out of the
winning Valid Appeal mare Appealing Storm, who has also produced a weanling
half-sister by Bernardini. Vacare hails from the same family as champion,
$3.2-million earner and outstanding broodmare Serena’s Song (Rahy).