CHURCHILL: FIELD PASS GOES WIRE TO WIRE IN $100,000 AUDUBON

By Darren Rogers —-

Field Pass; Churchill Downs Photos

Three Diamonds Farm’s Field Pass led every step of the way en route to a one-length victory over Bama Breeze in Saturday’s inaugural running of the $100,000 Audubon Stakes presented by TwinSpires.com for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Field Pass, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Mike Maker, ran 1 1/8 miles over firm turf in 1:47.99. Breaking from post five in the field of seven, the Maryland-bred son of Lemon Drop Kid rattled off clear early fractions of :24.12, :48.41 and 1:12.18. Field Pass widened his lead with three-eighths of a mile to run and was able withstand a late run by Bama Breeze, who trailed the field down the backstretch.

“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.”

Field Pass, sent to post as the 3-2 favorite, paid $5, $3.20 and $2.60. Bama Breeze, under Corey Lanerie, returned $5.20 and $3.80. Pixelate was another 2 ½ lengths back in third under Mitchell Murrill and paid $2.80 to show.

Natural Power (IRE), Fenwick Station and Summer to Remember completed the order of finish. Kinenos dropped jockey Shaun Bridgmohan a couple of strides after the start when the colt appeared to clip heels with Field Pass. Spanish Kingdom was scratched.

Field Pass earned $60,760 for the win and improved his career record to 10-4-2-1—$358,610. Earlier this year, he won the $100,000 Dania Beach at Gulfstream Park and Turfway’s $217,175 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade III).

“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, out of the Runaway Groom mare Only Me, was bred by Mark Brown Grier.

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AUDUBON QUOTES

Tyler Gaffalione, jockey of FIELD PASS (winner): “He ran so easy today on the lead. 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.”

Mike Maker, trainer of FIELD PASS (winner): “He’s been a really nice horse this year for us. That was a nice victory and did everything very easy.”