Film Maker Reels In La Prevoyante Rivals

Courtlandt Farms' even-money favorite Film Maker swung into action in the stretch for a patient Edgar Prado and inhaled her rivals in the $200,000 La Prevoyante Handicap (gr. IIT) Saturday on the Calder Race Course turf.

The third-place finisher in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in her last start, the Graham Motion-trained Film Maker earned her second victory in seven starts in 2005. The 5-year-old Dynaformer mare won the Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Pimlico lawn May 21.

Prado last rode Film Maker when they teamed to win the All Along Breeders' Cup at Colonial Downs by three lengths in July 2004.

The 119-pound highweight in the 1 1/2-mile event for fillies and mares, Film Maker ($4, $2.80, $2.40) swept past the leaders late to defeat Kate Winslet and Shaun Bridgmohan by 3 1/2 lengths in a driving finish. Kate Winslet ($10, $4.20) closed for second in the final strides to nip Noble Stella by a neck.

It was the dark bay's first attempt at 12 furlongs.

"I was quite confident that she would get the distance and Edgar gave her a beautiful ride," Motion said. "He knows her well. She's had some unfortunate trips, but always runs her race. I can't say enough about her."

The La Prevoyante, run over a firm course, was timed in 2:27.75.

Noble Stella ($3.60) had rallied between horses in the stretch to get the lead from Spotlight and Moscow Burning, who also led in mid-stretch. She edged away from the others under Eddie Castro, but was no match for the classy Film Maker.

Prado saved ground as Film Maker raced covered up all the way to the stretch while in mid-pack about four lengths behind the pacesetting La Sami, who galloped along through eary splits of :24 2/5 and :50 4/5. Spotlight began to turn up the pressure after completing six furlongs in 1:15 4/5 and she led them into the stretch.

As the pace picked up, Film Maker angled out for the stretch drive and quickly assumed control.

"The pace was a little slower than I thought but we were placed right behind the leaders, which is where I wanted to be," Prado said. "I rode her a while ago going one mile and three-eighths, and she gave me enough confidence then to believe she would do well going a mile and a half."

Motion said owner Donald Adam plans to race Film Maker next year.

"After Christmas, we'll send her to the farm in Ocala for a month off and then pick her up and plan a schedule similar to this year leading to another chance in the Breeders' Cup," Motion said.

Film Maker hit the board in all but one of her seven starts this year – she ran fourth in Saratoga's Diana (gr. IT) – while earning more than $440,000. For her career, the dark bay is 7-5-7 in 23 starts with earnings of $1,373,730. She ran second in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

TAC Holdings Inc. bred Film Maker, who is out of the Mr. Prospector mar Miss Du Bois, in Kentucky.

Joyful Chaos finished fourth, followed by Moscow Burning, A Lulu OfaMenifee, Milwaukee, Very Very, La Sami, Miss Nashwan, Spotlight, and Sister Swank, who was vanned off.

(Chart, Equibase)