Liora upsets Restless Rider in Golden Rod

Nov 24, 2018 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Two years after registering an upset with Farrell in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs, trainer Wayne Catalano and jockey Channing Hill played spoiler again in Saturday's $200,000 renewal of the 1 1/16-mile race for two-year-old fillies.

Liora, a 27-1 chance exiting a nine-length maiden win over the track on October 30, gamely held off 7-10 favorite Restless Rider through the long stretch to post a wire-to-wire victory by a nose in a time of 1:46.25 over a sloppy track. Owned by Coffeepot Stables, which also owns Farrell, Liora paid $56.80 to win.

The Golden Rod was a 2019 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series prep, awarding Oaks qualifying points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers. Liora earned her initial 10 points here, while Restless Rider added four to her previous total of 18. Ten were earned for her victory in the Alcibiades (G1) and eight for her second-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Finishing third and fourth in the Golden Rod were High Regard and Champagne Anyone.

Bred in Kentucky by Dell Ridge Farm in Kentucky, Liora finished fourth in her debut at Saratoga in late July. She was third on the turf at Churchill on September 20 before waking up with a blowout score going 1 1/16 miles on the main track last time. She's now earned $176,580.

By Candy Ride and out of stakes-winning Giant Mover, by Giant's Causeway, Liora is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Family Tree. Liora's second dam is multiple Grade 2 winner Gold Mover.