Enticed Up Just In Time In G2 Kentucky Jockey Club

LOUISVILLE, KY – Godolphin’s homebred Enticed was able to get up just in time to nab Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Coming out at the start from post 6 under Junior Alvarado, Enticed was bumped and shuffled through the first turn but still held close in third while Promises Fulfilled set early times of :23.60, :47.70, and 1:12.53. Fanned wide into the far turn, Enticed made his move in the stretch run and had to hold off a hard-charging Tiz Mischief and jockey Robby Albarado. Enticed managed to prevail by a head at the wire in a final time of 1:44.42 for the 1 1/16-mile main track event.

“My horse had quite the learning experience,” Alvarado said. “He’s still a baby, so there is a lot of room to grow still. He’s a big colt. It was a little rough coming into the first turn with a lot of horses in front of him, but he handled it well. Turning for home, he shied a little bit when a horse came out but dug in. He got a little lost once he got in front, but he dug in and finished well. I thought I had it at the wire, but it was very close. I asked Robby on the gallop out and he told me he thought I had it.”

Promises Fulfilled faded in the stretch but held on for third. High North‘s closing kick from last was too little, too late, as he was only able to take fourth. Following behind him with a similar late move, Lone Sailor was a neck past a fading Reride. Quip, Givemeaminit, John Tippmann, Bravazo, Arrival, Peppered, and Gotta Go completed the order of finish. Diamond King clipped heels going into the first turn and lost rider Frankie Pennington but galloped out and walked off without any noticeable injury.

The Kentucky Jockey Club is part of the Road to the 2018 Kentucky Derby prep race season. Enticed earned 10 points for the win, with Tiz Mischief receiving 4 for second, Promises Fulfilled 2 for third, and High North 1 for fourth.

Enticed, a son of Medaglia d’Oro, was third last out in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainee now has career earnings of $213,880.

“This was a huge win!” McLaughlin said via text. “He is so well-bred, and to win a Grade 2 with him as a 2-year-old is very important. And it makes it special to win it at Churchill Downs. Knowing that he likes the track is great, and Junior rode him very well.”

Enticed returned $8.80 to win, $4.80 to place, and $3.80 to show. Tiz Mischief brought back $5.40 to place and $3.80 to show, while Promises Fulfilled paid $7.80 to show.

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