Lake Lucerne prevailed in deep stretch to earn a hard-fought, two-length victory in the Listed Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday, 18 February, in the process becoming the 250th individual Stakes winner for her sire Dubawi.
The ultra-consistent mare, who has been Stakes-placed at ages three through six, broke through to earn a well-deserved first Stakes victory.
Despite being bumped slightly coming out of the starting gate, Lake Lucerne was forwardly-placed by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, settling in third as My Philly Twirl (Hard Spun) led the field through the early stages of the race. Lake Lucerne continued to track the leaders while racing three-wide down the backstretch, then was forced even further out as she began to mount a challenge on the far turn.
Lake Lucerne continued to close in the stretch, despite being carried out some seven-wide by a tiring Island Hideaway. Lake Lucerne continued to battle, eventually taking the lead in deep stretch on her way to posting a two-length victory. Fellow Godolphin runner, Soft Touch (Uncle Mo), got up to claim second.
Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin, Lake Lucerne is out of multiple Graded Stakes winner Round Pond (Awesome Again), winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, G1 Acorn and G2 Fantasy Stakes. Lake Lucerne is a half-sister to Long River (A.P. Indy), winner of the G1 Maktoum Challenge Round 3, and to Tyburn Brook (Bernardini), dam of G1 winner and new Darley stallion, Speaker’s Corner (Street Sense).
Dubawi's illustrious stud career now includes 250 Stakes winners, 164 individual Group winners, and 53 top-flight scorers. They include a number of high-flying stallion sons like Night Of Thunder, with numerous more waiting in the wings; Ghaiyyath, Space Blues, Too Darn Hot and Naval Crown.
