Delaunay romps to victory in Churchill Downs

May 04, 2013 Darren Rogers

Maggi Moss’ Delaunay swept past Trinniberg at the head of the stretch and drew off to a four-length victory in the 79th running of the $443,600 Churchill Downs presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade II) at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Tom Amoss and ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Delaunay covered the seven furlongs on the sloppy main track in 1:22.35.

Trained by Tom Amoss and ridden by Rosie Napravnik, Delaunay covered the seven furlongs on the sloppy main track in 1:22.35.
The victory, the sixth in a row for Delaunay, was worth $264,031 and improved his earnings to $803,486 with a record of 39-14-8-3. It was the first graded stakes victory for Delaunay.
Delaunay is a 6-year-old Maryland-bred son of Smoke Glacken out of the Coronado’s Quest mare Perilous Night.
Trinniberg, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) last fall at Santa Anita, led the field through fractions of :22.29 and :44.86 with Delaunay in closest pursuit. Turning for home, Napravnik sent Delaunay after Trinniberg and within a few strides, the race turned into a one horse procession.
Favored in the field of nine, Delaunay returned $5.80, $3.80 and $3. Pass the Dice, ridden by Julien Leparoux, returned $8.60 and $6 with Laurie’s Rocket finishing 3 ½ lengths back in third under Victor Lebron and paying $7.20 to show.
Handsome Mike finished 1 ¾ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by Hierro, Politicallycorrect, Trinniberg, Unbridled’s Note and Night Party.
Rosie Napravnik, rider of Delaunay, winner: “The post position was great. He broke sharp. He’s such a cool horse. He’ll do whatever you ask him. He’s very speedy and he’ll relax if you need him to. He’s just a very fast horse. Since Tom’s (Amoss) had him, he’s really come around. The track wasn’t a problem at all for him. He’s got a good record on wet tracks. We weren’t worried about that.”
Tom Amoss, trainer of Delaunay, winner: “The question was fair; Delaunay had faced the same group of horses, but today was a really overpowering performance. I think you’d have a lot of doubt not calling him the best sprinter in the country after today.”
Is he the best claim you ever made? “By far, it’s the best claim I ever made. I saw a horse that I thought that was worth $40,000, which is what I paid. What’s different? I really don’t know. He’s just come around and he looks great. He doesn’t look like a $40,000 horse, that’s for darn sure.”
Julien Leparoux, rider of Pass the Dice, runner-up: “No excuses. Good race; good try.”
Victor Lebron, rider of Laurie’s Rocket, third: “I had a good position all the way. He handled the track and he gave some run at the end.”
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Darren Rogers
Senior Director, Communications & Media Services
Churchill Downs
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