Lake Avenue back to form with G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks third

Lake Avenue put a lacklustre seasonal return firmly behind her with a closing third in the extended-mile G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on dirt at Gulfstream Park, US, on Saturday.

Last year’s G2 Demoiselle Stakes winner, fourth in the Busher Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct earlier this month, was bustled along leaving the stalls before being covered up behind the leaders in fifth after the first quarter-mile.

Lake Avenue moved up a place as the first four drew clear leaving the back straight and quickened well for Joel Rosario to take third turning for home.

The Bill Mott-trained filly rallied inside the final furlong, missing out on second by a nose, to go down by just over three lengths to all-the-way winner Swiss Skydiver.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “Lake Avenue didn’t get away from the gate as well as we would have liked and found herself boxed in down the back straight.

“It looked like she was going to make a big run at the five-sixteenth pole but Joel Rosario felt she ran a little in spurts down the lane. She closed well, galloped out strongly and was only beaten on the bob for second.

“We felt that there would be a lively pace up front but it was a very slowly run race. The winner led gate to wire, set very slow fractions throughout and had enough to hold everything off in the lane.

“We are proud of Lake Avenue and she certainly belongs in this company. It was a good effort and we saw enough today to be very encouraged for the rest of the season. She has put her last run behind her and this performance was much more indicative of her ability.”

Meanwhile, following an inspiring evening celebrating the achievements of stud and stable staff from across the country at the UK Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, James Frank of Hascombe and Valiant Stud has been named as the 2020 Employee of the Year.

James, who also won the Stud Staff Award, was presented with with the perpetual Godolphin Trophy by special guest presenter Oisin Murphy alongside Ed Chamberlin at an event hosted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

He takes home a total of £20,000 in prize money with the same amount being shared amongst the staff at Hascombe and Valiant Stud. This is part of a total of £128,000 in prize money awarded on the evening by sponsors Godolphin.

Having come to the UK from Zimbabwe in his mid-twenties, James’s belief in leading from the front and setting the example to those he works with has been the hallmark of his 17 years of working in racing and breeding.

Most recently at Hascombe and Valiant Stud, his unswerving commitment to the mares and their foals and his skill with highly strung animals has seen him involved in the early stages of some of the modern greats of flat racing, including Golden Horn and Cracksman (both now Darley stallions).

James is meticulous in his organisation and forward planning and is held in universally high regard by his colleagues. He helps and encourages others to ensure that his own high standards are replicated across the stud and his love of horses and dedication to his work are an inspiration.

Brough Scott, Chair of the Judging Panel, said: “The panel’s job was as tough as ever this year with some remarkable stories of commitment, hard work and dedication amongst this year’s finalists.

“However, we had to reach a final decision and James is a hugely deserving winner for his years of perseverance and outstanding service to the breeding industry.”

Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the BHA, said: “For James to be named Employee of the Year when our sport employs thousands of people who work so hard to provide first class care to our horses is a fantastic achievement.”