Proviso Denies Fluke in Kilroe Mile
March 7, 2010 by El Caballista
Making his first start since winning the Citation Handicap (G1) last November, Fluke (Brz) was sent off as the second betting choice behind race favorite Ever A Friend in the 51st running of the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (G1)f at Santa Anita on Saturday.
The race set up well for the 5-year-old son of Wild Event. Breaking from the outside, Fluke powered his way to the lead, looking very fresh after his 3-1/2 month layoff. Jockey Joe Talamo made the smart move and didn’t fight to rate the big bay. Making all the running, it looked as if he would notch another Grade One win here in the US. At the quarter pole, it was all Fluke, but as the finish line loomed closer, the only female in the race, Proviso (GB), put in a late run from far back to claim victory by a short nose. It was another 1-1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Battle of Hastings (GB).
Proviso (left) Nips Fluke (white cap) at Wire/Photo: Benoit Photos
History was also made on Saturday, as Proviso became the first female to ever win the Kilroe Mile.
Bred and owned by Juddmonte Farms, the bay mare is by Dansili and out of Binche (Woodman). Making her 19th start, the 5-year-old improved her record to 6-3-5 with earnings of $924,253.
Ever A Friend, last year’s Kilroe winner, was tucked in behind the leaders, rating in third until mid-stretch, when the 7-year-old son of Crafty Friend faded to sixth in the nine-horse field.
Fluke, though rank early, set a reasonable pace, posting fractions of :23.94, :48.41, 1:12.47, and 1:23.92. The final time for the mile over a turf course rated firm was 1:35.31. Fluke now has earnings of $358,348 from 12 starts.
The Kilroe Mile looked just like the Al Maktoum Round 3 Challenge (G2) run in Dubai last Thursday where another filly (Red Desire) came flying at the end to nip Brazilian Gloria de Campaeo at the wire. (see related article)
Ironically, Fluke and Proviso were stablemates last season, both having been under the tutelage of Bobby Frankel. Upon the Hall of Famer’s death, Proviso was moved to the care of Bill Mott while Fluke remained with long time Frankel assistant, Humberto Ascanio.
