Undefeated Gold Mover Wins Debutante

Edward Evans' 2-year-old homebred filly Gold Mover remained undefeated after winning the $112,300 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) by 2 3/4 lengths Saturday at Churchill Downs. With Craig Perret in the irons, the daughter of Gold Fever completed the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.79, .12 seconds slower than her winning time in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III) and just shy of Yes It's True's track record of 1:03.61.

"I think she's got a real good thing going for her because she's not a mental case right now," said Perret. "She doesn't try to explode. She's pretty collected. She's cool and she lets you teach her what you want her to do. That's kind of half the battle."

After a fractious Nasty Storm settled down in the gate, Gold Mover broke well and had a 1/2-length advantage after a quarter-mile run in :21.83, with 18-1 Princess Belle flanked just outside her. Those two lengthened their advantage over the field on the turn, running the half in :45.12 over a fast track. Gold Mover floated Princess Belle a bit wide straightening for home and pulled away to the winning margin over that rival.

After a troubled start, Tricky Elaine closed well through the stretch--coming off the rail to split horses--and finished third. Launch a Double was fourth, followed by Growth Stock, Political Magic, Nasty Storm, Millie's Trick, and Montreal's Best.

Mark Hennig trainee Gold Mover won her debut race by 3 1/2 lengths at Keeneland in April and followed that with the Kentucky Breeders' Cup win in May. She earned $69,626 for Saturday's win, bringing her career bankroll to $201,942 after three starts.

As the prohibitive favorite, Gold Mover returned $3, $2.40, and $2.10. Princess Belle paid $7.60 and $2.10, and Tricky Elaine was worth $2.10. The winning exacta combination returned $29.60. (Chart, Equibase)