Flavien Prat, a 17-year-old apprentice rider from France, registered his first United States victory Jan. 15 with a $103.40 stunner in the third race at Santa Anita that led to a Pick Six carryover of $69,998 into the following day's nine-race program.
With his 12th mount at the meet after having twice finished second, Prat drove Heavenly n’ Free though an opening on the rail to defeat Blame the Wine by a neck after rallying from last in the 6 1/2-furlong optional claiming event for fillies and mares. Prat’s mount was so lightly regarded in the field of five that her 50-1 odds dwarfed those of the next longest shot, who was 7-1.
