Candied Gets Back to Winner’s Circle in Allaire du Pont
By: Joe Perez BloodHorse
After a series of near misses, Candied made it back to the winner’s circle May 16, winning the $125,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
It was the millionaire’s first win since her last nongraded run, the 2024 Lady’s Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park.
Candied, b, 4/f
Candy Ride (ARG) — Toni Tools, by Roaring Fever
Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bobby Flay
Breeder: Buck Pond Farm, Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Information provided by Equibase at time of entry.
Pedigree Notes
Candy Ride (ARG) stands at Lane’s End for $75,000 (2025).
Sale History
FTKJUL2022 • $165,000 • Consignor: Buck Pond Farm • Buyer: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
Between then and Friday, the daughter of Candy Ride finished second in two grade 1s—losing the first to reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna and the second by a head—then third in two grade 1s, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) behind Thorpedo Anna and this year’s La Troienne Stakes (G1) winner Raging Sea. She then showed in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) in her only action of 2025 prior to Friday.
“It was nice to see her back in the winner’s circle,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We had a beautiful trip, saved ground around the first turn and (jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.) bided his time around the second turn and it looked like when he got her in the clear, she finished well.”
Making just her third career start outside of graded company, Candied lived up to her class with a midstretch move to overcome Dazzling Move in 1:50.47.
Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bobby Flay, the filly was bred by Buck Pond Farm. Her record improves to 4-2-4 from 11 starts with $1,253,488 in earnings.