Du Jour Proves Best in American Turf

LOUISVILLE, KY –  Du Jour surged to the front at the sixteenth pole en route to a 1 1/2-length victory in the 30th running of the $500,000 American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming (G2) for 3-year-olds.

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, Du Jour covered the mile and a sixteenth on a firm Matt Winn Turf Course in 1:42.49. It is the second victory in the race for Baffert who won in 2003 with Senor Swinger.

“The key was getting him to relax down inside. I actually sent him quite a bit out of the gate and then it’s always a question of if they can come back to you after that. It felt like they were going a good clip up front and that helped him to relax too. He traveled well and when I asked him to split horses, he did it nicely.” said winning Jockey Flavien Prat

Lucky Law, Winfromwithin, and Hidden Enemy completed the order in the American Turf.

This is the first graded stake win for Du Jour and improved his career record to 5-3-1-1. The 3-year-old son of Temple City has now earned $375,220 for owners Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni.

“These turf horses are easier to train. You don’t have to train them very hard.  We tried to make a dirt horse out of him and he wasn’t that good. Mike Smith rode him and said I think he likes the dirt. I’m really excited about it. And I’m just so happy for Jill. She has to deal with me as a trainer, and all the ups and downs. For that horse to win today, and to listen to her excitement, now she has something that’s hers.” Said winning trainer Bob Baffert.

Du Jour returned $13.20 to win, $7.40 to place, and $5.40 to show.