Paved is Concrete in Honeymoon Score
Ciaglia Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Paved brought her win tally to three and added her first graded score in the $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes (G2T) June 9 at Santa Anita Park.
Breaking from the outside post in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies, jockey Gary Stevens—riding for the first time—guided Paved to the rail behind the field where the 9-5 second choice raced comfortably. Meanwhile, Animosity ran to a clear lead, setting fractions of :23.69, :47.58, and 1:11.91 through six furlongs.
“The trip was great,” Stevens said. “My most important job was getting cover for her—getting behind horses going into the first turn so she would relax. Immediately she dropped off for me and was just listening for her cue when it was time to go. She never got that cue until the hole opened up on the fence at the head of the stretch, and it was over within a matter of strides.”
The winner returned $5.80, $3.40, and $2.80 across the board. Animosity paid $6.80 and $4.20 for second, while Ms Peintour got up for third to return $4.80. The 6-5 favorite, Fatale Bere, finished last of seven after rating behind the pacesetter for much of the going.