Field Pass Never in Doubt in Audubon

LOUISVILLE, KY – Three Diamonds Farm’s Field Pass took the lead early and ran off as the never-in-doubt winner of Saturday’s $100,000 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Breaking from post 6 under Tyler Gaffalione as the 3/2 favorite, Field Pass broke out in front of Kinenos, who clipped heels and tossed jockey Shaun Bridgmohan. No worse for the wear due to the contact, Field Pass went to the lead heading into the clubhouse turn and posted opening fractions of :24.12, :48.41, and 1:12.18

Still loose on the lead through the far turn, Field Pass was still well in hand as he straightened for home. Put to task with a furlong remaining, Field Pass had more than enough left to off a hard-trying Bama Breeze for victory.

The Mike Maker trainee crossed 1 length clear in a final time of 1:47.99 for the 1 1/8-mile firm turf route.

“He ran so easy today on the lead,” Gaffalione said. “We saw there wasn’t much speed in the race, so I asked him a little bit out of the gate and was able to get clear on the lead. He had plenty of energy left in the stretch.”

Bama Breeze nearly went last-to-first in the stretch but was unable to run down the unpressured winner. He was 2 1/2 lengths better than Pixelate, who outkicked Natural Power, Fenwick Station, and Summer to Remember to complete the order of finish. Spanish Kingdom was a pre-race scratch.

Despite stumbling and losing each other at the start, both Kinenos and Bridgmohan appeared none the worse for the wear. Bridgmohan reportedly bounced back up after hitting the ground and Kinenos seemingly walked off the course under his own power after being corraled by an outrider.

Field Pass’ victory was a return to his earlier form when he won two straight – the Dania Beach Stakes and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) – before finishing third over this course in last month’s War Chant Stakes. The 3-year-old Lemon Drop Kid colt improved his record to 10-4-2-1 with $358,610 earned.

“He’s been a really nice horse this year for us,” Maker said. “That was a nice victory and did everything very easy.”

Field Pass returned $5 to win, $3.20 to place, and $2.60 to show. Bama Breeze brought back $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show, while Pixelate paid $2.80 to show.