Adopted Daughter Wins Prairie Gold Lassie

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Edited release from Prairie Meadows
Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's 2-year-old filly Adopted Daughter, ridden by Mark Guidry, got up at the finish line just in time in Wednesday's 5-furlong Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes at Prairie Meadows. The horse nipped speedball Goldleafed Mirror, who shot to the front like a rocket in the early going with jockey Robby Albarado, but could not hold off Adopted Daughter, slipping through on the rail in :57 2/5 seconds in her second start coming off a six-length win at Keeneland in April. The Prairie Gold Lassie was the first stakes of the Iowa Festival of Racing that runs through Saturday, July 6.

"That 2-horse did leave there," said trainer Ronny Werner in the winner's circle following the race. "I actually thought we'd be up toward the front end a little bit closer than that, but she came rolling on the end just in time."

"This track is a little more speed-biased. I like fast tracks and my horses do, too," added Werner. "Going the Debutante was a possibility, but she fell off her works a little bit, so I opted not to go there." From here, Adopted Daughter might go to Saratoga to remain at stakes level conditions.

"She was looking around a whole lot - real spotty," said Guidry. "I figured she would be out there. I knew she'd be the one to contend with. We got lucky and ran her down late. Went on and did a great job with her. She's built like a little speedhorse, built like a runner. I thought I'd be out there with the speed, but she got a little nervous going into the gate. In the gate, she was standing off and got off a little poorly. I was sitting pretty comfortable up the backside. I know they were going a pretty good pace in front of us. I was just hoping they would come back. I had a good feeling, but the 1-horse had to slow down just a tad, which he did. Everything worked out perfectly."

The odds board favorite Adopted Daughter returned $4.60 on $2.

Order of finish: Adopted Daughter, Goldleafed Mirror, Perfect Dear, Early Trading, Eolica, Lovesmegold, What a Cat, Ifufeelfroggyleap.

Fancy Prancer holds the Prairie Gold Lassie record of :57 set in 2001.

(Chart, Equibase)

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