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Aruna justifies odds-on favoritism in All Along The All Along S. (G3) has been a favorite spot for trainer Graham Motion in recent years, with such standouts as Film Maker (2004 and 2006) and Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) (2010) taking the prize at Colonial Downs. In Saturday's $100,000 renewal, named in honor of the late owner/breeder Edward P. Evans, 1-2 favorite ARUNA (Mr. Greeley) kept up the tradition by rallying to a 1 1/2-length victory over Dyna Waltz (GB) (Dynaformer). Motion's other entrant, Apple Charlotte (Smart Strike), got up for third.Spring Party (Smart Strike) and Baltimore Belle (Bowman's Band) showed early speed, and the pair soon forged clear through an opening quarter in :23 4/5. Baltimore Belle then wrested control through a half in :47 4/5 and six furlongs in 1:12 2/5. By that point, the field was gaining on them. Dyna Waltz was on the move from third, and Aruna was circling from even farther back for a confident Ramon Dominguez. Leaving the far turn, Dyna Waltz and Aruna hooked up for a rousing stretch duel. Although Dyna Waltz fought on to the inside, Aruna always seemed to be going the stronger, and the odds-on choice edged away inside the final furlong. Well in command at the wire, the Flaxman Holdings homebred won comfortably in a final time of 1:49 1/5 on the firm turf and paid $3, $2.10 and $2.10. Apple Charlotte, who had been anchored last early, advanced into third down the lane and steadily reduced her deficit. She couldn't quite catch Dyna Waltz and settled for the show spot, one length behind the runner-up. There was a 6 3/4-length gap back to Acronym (Empire Maker) in fourth. Next came Spring Party, Baltimore Belle and Somme (Theatrical [Ire]). Highly thought of by her original trainer Jonathan Pease in France, Aruna placed in a couple of hot maidens at two, beaten by the likes of Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune), Anna Salai (Dubawi) and Rosanara, before earning her initial win at Saint-Cloud. Aruna made her sophomore bow in the 2010 Prix de la Grotte (Fr-G3) and finished a creditable fourth to Anna Salai in that recognized classic trial. Unfortunately, Aruna couldn't build on that effort when only sixth to Sarafina (Refuse to Bend [Ire]) in the Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1). She had become a bleeder, effectively ending her prospects in France. Repatriated to America for the benefit of Lasix, Aruna wasted no time in getting back on track. She won her first three starts, including scores in the October 11 Pebbles S. at Belmont Park and the November 20 Mrs. Revere S. (G2). The dark bay suffered her only stateside loss in her reappearance in the May 7 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2), checking in second, but rebounded here to advance her line to 10-5-2-1, $359,424. The Kentucky-bred Aruna is out of Grade 2 heroine Surya (Unbridled), whose latest offspring are an unnamed juvenile colt by Giant's Causeway, a yearling colt by Harlan's Holiday and a 2011 filly by Distorted Humor. With her fourth dam being Grade 2 winner Kittiwake (*Sea-Bird), Aruna hails from the family of multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Miss Oceana (Alydar), French Group 1 scorer Kitwood (Nureyev), English Group 1 diva Magic of Life (Seattle Slew) and Canadian International (Can-G1) winner Joshua Tree (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]).
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