Carpe Donum was an impressive winner at Los Alamitos with owners Phoenix Thoroughbreds hoping that it will be a sign of things to come this weekend.
The Peter Miller trained gelding was having his first start in the Maiden Claiming contest but looked every bit the professional as he completed a powerful front running performance to win with plenty to spare. It is an excellent start to the weekend for the Dubai based owners who have both Ethical Judgement and Double Thunder lining up in Graded Stakes action on Saturday.
The victory also notched up a treble for jockey Cesar Ortega who was very keen to get his mount to the front of the field in the early stages. His hussle noted by the race caller, who noted, “Carpe Donum is going very fast.” The son of Carpe Diem remained in front through the turn and while a few of his rivals started to ask more of their own partners, Ortega remained motionless. Into the stretch, it looked for a moment as if the long-time leader might get swallowed up by the pack, but he found plenty to run out a comfortable winner.