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Pure Clan remains perfect in Golden Rod Lewis G. Lakin's homebred PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) overcame a few obstacles to extend her mark to a perfect four-for-four in Saturday's $276,500 Golden Rod S. (G2), one of two graded events on the closing day Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs. The Bob Holthus trainee took a slight bobble at the break, had to steady several times when in tight quarters on the backstretch and far turn, made contact with a rival in midstretch, and still delivered a potent late charge to score by two lengths. With a patient Julien Leparoux aboard, the chestnut juvenile stopped the teletimer in a stakes-record 1:43 2/5 for the fast-track 1 1/16 miles. The nearly 3-1 second choice returned $7.80, $4 and $2.80 while spearheading the $40 exacta, $94.40 trifecta and $236 superfecta (1-4-3-5). "She has really been a surprise," Holthus said. "When she came from the farm, no one really had a lot of high hopes for her, but she turned into a good one. It has been a pleasant surprise. When she was that close turning for home, I thought we would get it." C J's Leelee (Mizzen Mast), who vied for the lead through splits of :24 3/5, :48 4/5 and 1:13, opened up a daylight margin in the stretch. Although she couldn't withstand the onrush of Pure Clan, the 6-1 shot held on resolutely for second by three-quarters of a length, furnishing $6.20 and $3.40. Even-money favorite Turn Away (Empire Maker) had a nightmare trip. After stumbling when the gate opened in her stakes debut, she could not find a clear path in the stretch until late in the game, despite vainly altering course a few times. The royally bred filly yielded $2.20 to show. Sunday Holiday (Sunday Break [Jpn]) checked in another 1 3/4 lengths back in fourth, followed by pace duelist Morakami (Fusaichi Pegasus), French Kiss (Hussonet), Greenhaven Lake (Greenwood Lake) and Minewander (Mineshaft). Pure Clan had captured her first two starts on the turf, an Ellis Park maiden by 7 3/4 lengths and a Keeneland allowance by 1 3/4 lengths, before successfully transitioning to the dirt in the Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill last time out. She has now earned $316,209. Pure Clan's half-brother, Greater Good (Intidab), also had success at this historic oval as a juvenile in 2004, capturing the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) and finishing third in the Iroquois S. (G3). Bred in the Bluegrass State, Pure Clan is out of Grade 3 heroine Gather the Clan (Ire) (General Assembly), and she has a yearling half-sister named Running Clan (Cherokee Run). Her second dam is What a Summer (What Luck), champion sprinter of 1977. Holthus outlined his plans for Pure Clan. "We are going to take her to Oaklawn Park and give her about 30 days off, and she will probably make her first start back in March," the trainer said.
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