Kentucky-bred Du Jour unleashed a strong rally in the stretch to score an impressive victory in the $300,000 Frank Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita on Sunday, March 3.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Du Jour made short work of seven rivals in the one-mile turf affair. The 6-year-old son of Temple City rated in the back of the pack early. He gained ground along the rail when two wide on the far turn and surged powerfully to the lead in the lane. The classy horse continued on to the wire with determination to defeat Easter (FR) by two lengths. He stopped the clock in 1:33.95 over a course rated as “good.”
“We had a great ride,” said Flavien Prat. “The horse showed some speed then settled down nicely down the backside. You always run well fresh. On paper it seemed like this race was going to have a good amount of pace. My job was just to make sure we were in a comfortable zone. He was able to show his talent through the final stretch.”
MILLIONAIRE STATUS FOR DU JOUR
Idle since finishing a close 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) last November, Du Jour finished second in last year’s Kilroe Mile. Owned by Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni, Du Jour is now a three-time graded stakes winner. The win improved his overall mark to 17-6-3-2, and the $180,000 winner’s share of the purse increased his bankroll to $1,118,220. Bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm, he is out of the Bernardini mare Guiltless. Du Jour was a $280,000 purchase by Donato Lanni, agent, out of Off the Hook consignment at the 2020 OBS April Sale.
“It was so exciting, so I won’t say unexpected, but very exciting,” noted co-owner Debbie Lanni of Du Jour’s win. “In the Breeders’ Cup, he just wasn’t himself. He only finished 3 ½ lengths behind, but 3 ½ lengths short.”