Krone Shows Her Magic in Claiming Crown

Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone stole the show Saturday during the Claiming Crown series at Canterbury Park, winning the two biggest races of the day aboard Image in the $118,250 Emerald Stakes and on Daunting in the $141,000 Jewel.

Krone was also second with Debonair Joe in the $96,000 Rapid Transit.

In the Jewel, the final heat of the six-race Claiming Crown at 1 1/8 mile, Krone roused Daunting, the 7-5 favorite, to the lead nearing mid-stretch after stalking the pace of Patton's Victory. She continued to vigorously ride the Sea Hero gelding to a 3 1/2-length win over Freeze Alert, ridden by Ryan Fogelsonger, who was 2 1/4 length ahead of Patton's Victory. The time was 1:49.

The Southern California-based Daunting, trained by Mark Glatt for Plan B Stable, has won five of his last six starts and now sports a 7-2-3 record in 22 starts. The $82,500 winner's share in the Jewel jumped the 5-year-old Kentucky bred's career earnings to $250,400.

Daunting paid $4.80, $3.60 and $2.20. Freeze Alert, who closed from seventh to be second, returned $4.60 and $2.40. Patton's Victory showed for $2.40.

In the Emerald at 1 1/16 mile on grass, Krone kept Image well off a quick early pace, saving ground while progressing on the field to the top the stretch. Krone switched the chestnut El Prado gelding off the rail for a four-wide bid in the stretch, where he seized the lead from W W Robin de Hood and finished up under brisk handling to win by three-quarters of a length. Mega Gift, the 3-2 favorite, in the field of 10, was third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner. The time was 1:42 on a firm course.

Robert Asaro Enterprises, Inc., owns the 5-year-old Kentucky bred who is trained by Steve Asmussen. The victory, Image's seventh overall and third for his current owner, was worth $68,750. Image has a career bankroll of $254,468 in 27 career starts.

The 2-1 second choice of the public, Image returned $6.40, $3.80 and $2.40. W W Robin de Hood returned $6.20 and $3.40.

In the 6 1/2-furlong Rapid Transit, Pioneer Boy, ridden by Rick Wilson, was aggressive while breaking from the outside post in a field of 10. The 5-year-old Pioneering gelding grabbed command near the head of the stretch and opened up a big advantage in the run to the wire, holding favored Debonair Joe and Krone safe by 2 1/2 lengths. Bensalem, who fought the winner for the early lead, held on for third. The final time was 1:15 2/5.

Pioneer Boy, who captured the Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) in the mud at Pimlico May 17, won for the fourth time for owner Michael Gill and trainer John Robb since being claimed at Laurel in February. He earned $55,000 Saturday. Overall, the Texas-bred bay has nine victories in 29 starts and earnings of $295,465.

Pioneer Boy paid $6.80, $3.20 and $2.20. Debonair Joe returned $2.40 and $2.20. Bensalem showed for $2.20.

(Chart, Equibase)