By Bill Finley
Owned by Alex Bregman's Bregman Family Stable, Laurice (Bolt d'Oro) kicked off her career in the right way, winning Saturday's sixth race at Saratoga. The race was run at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf and Laurice was sent off at 7-2.
Bregman is an MLB All-Star who plays for the Houston Astros and has been an enthusiastic owner since getting involved in racing. George Weaver was the winning trainer.
With Junior Alvarado aboard, Laurice stalked the pace set by Moonlight Promises (Promises Fulfilled), took control at the top of the stretch and was able to hold off a late-run from Bourbon Milk Punch (Uncle Mo). Tam I Am (Authentic) was third while 2-1 favorite Brindi (Ire) (No Nay Never) checked in fourth.
Laurice was purchased at OBS April for $460,000.
“She was impressive at (OBS,) Weaver said. “I thought she worked great coming into this race. She's a nice physical specimen and she's trained well ever since we've had her. She did a little better on the grass and that's why we sprinted her on the grass. We had high hopes for her. We thought she was going to run well.”
Weaver said that Laurice had been working in company with his 3-year-old filly Amidst Waves (Midshipman), the winner of last year's Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga.
“I feel bad for Amidst Waves,” Weaver said. “She's had to chase this horse around there and she's a really good filly in her own right. (Laurice) was giving us good signs and it was nice to see her do well against classy horses. The 7-2 was a generous price.”
Weaver is not sure what the future holds for his filly. That will largely depend on whether or not she can stretch out.
“She's not a an aggressive horse, so I think she will get more ground,” Weaver said. “When working with Amidst Waves, she was in hand, waiting for a cue. I think she will stretch out.”
In addition to selling at OBS, Laurice went through the sales ring twice at Keeneland. She sold for $75,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale before fetching $80,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale.
The final time for the race run over a firm turf course was 1:02.47. The winner paid $9.80
LAURICE, daughter of @spendthriftfarm stallion Bolt d'Oro, breaks her maiden in the sixth race under @JuniorandKellyA for George Weaver and Bregman Family Racing @ABREG_1. pic.twitter.com/FdJpnMPQH4
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 31, 2024
6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.47, fm, 1/2 length.
LAURICE (f, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Major Z, by Candy Ride {Arg}), the 7-2 second choice, took aim at experienced pacesetter Moonlight Promises (Promises Fulfilled) and kept in touch with that leader up the backstretch through fractions of :21.53 and :44.70. Holding firm while outside that rival, she kicked on for the wire and stayed away from a closing Bourbon Milk Punch (Uncle Mo), battling gamely to secure the half-length win.
A $460,000 OBS April 2-year-old, Laurice counts champion 2-year-old colt Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) as an extended family member. Major Z last produced a yearling West Coast colt and was reported bred to Conclusive for 2025. Sales History: $75,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $80,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $460,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Bregman Family Racing LLC; B-Vehbi Hakan Keles (KY); T-George Weaver.
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