From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2023) — The bay colt Lord Prancealot was just too quick for seven California-bred rivals in the five and one-half furlong Graduation Stakes for Golden State Series-eligibles at Del Mar Friday as he hung on late under old pro Kent Desormeaux to capture the 72nd running of the $126,000 dash.
The Hall of Fame rider, who was winning his third race on the afternoon, had his gelded son of Sir Prancealot away quickly and in front all the way through fast splits of :21.87 and :45.12. His rivals were closing in stoutly inside the sixteenth pole, but Desormeaux had just enough in the tank to get home by a head in a final time of 1:04.59.
The winner — a graduate of the CTBA January Sale — is owned by Edward Brown and Jeff Ganje. Ganje is also the breeder.
One race earlier, Prancingthruparis, a daughter of Sir Prancealot, won her debut in a 2-year-old filly Cal-bred maiden special weight for breeders/owners Ciaglia Rarcing, SAF Racing and Harry Crusberg.
“He’s so quick,” Desormeaux said of Lord Prancealot. “He surprised me the other day (his winning debut at Del Mar on July 29) just how quick he is. I wasn’t throwing any crosses at him today (turning for home); I was just holding him up. Can he run farther? I don’t know. I know he’s quick. I don’t know about the distance.”
Desormeaux’s only other win in the Graduation Stakes came 28 years ago aboard Riva Ranger.
Lovingier, London or Zondo’s Last Call London finished second, while Tom Halasz’s Mici’s Express was another three-quarters of a length back in third.
Lord Prancealot earned a first-place prize of $71,250 to increase his earnings to $120,450. He’d won his only other outing, a straight maiden affair against Cal-breds at Del Mar on July 29. Desormeaux was aboard that day, too.
Desormeaux was capturing his 89 stakes victory at Del Mar in the Graduation, ninth-most of all riders. It was Bonde’s 17th local stakes tally.
“I know there was a lot of speed on paper in the race but he’s excellent from the gate, so when I saw the break I thought we were in a good position to have a chance,” said Bonde. “(At the end) I was hoping the wire was coming real quick.”
Racing resumes at Del Mar Saturday with a first post of 2 p.m. There will be a guaranteed $1-million Pick Six pool that day to anyone who manages to take down the exotic bet as a single-ticket winner.