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Pure Clan maintains perfect turf record in Regret Though hardly disgraced by the likes of Eight Belles and Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) earlier this year, PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) was still in search of her first win of the season as she stepped into the starting gate for Saturday's $217,000 Regret S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The drop in class and return to turf, which she was undefeated over, did the trick as the sophomore swung out from the rail turning for home and cruised home a 2 3/4-length winner under Julien Leparoux. The even-money choice in a field of five, Pure Clan returned $4, $2.60 and $2.10 and keyed exotics of $12.60 (exacta), $24.60 (trifecta) and $38.60 (4-1-3-6 superfecta). Pure Clan rated at the rail in third early behind the dueling duo of Zee Zee (Exchange Rate) and C J's Leelee (Mizzen Mast), who were heads apart through fractions of :24 2/5, :49 2/5 and 1:14. C J's Leelee moved ahead of that rival in the stretch and led by as much as a length, but the class of Pure Clan would not be denied and she finished up nine furlongs on the firm turf in 1:49 4/5. C J's Leelee held second by 1 1/2 lengths over Zee Zee, returning $3.60 and $2.20 while Zee Zee paid $2.20. Magical Theater (Smart Strike), who trailed most of the way, finished 2 1/2 lengths back in fourth, while Miss Mafioso (Alphabet Soup), who raced in close attendance with the winner for six furlongs, faded to last. Absolutely Cindy (Arch) and Clearly Foxy (Volponi) were scratched. "I think I know where we will be spending the Fourth of July if we get an invitation," said trainer Bob Holthus, referring to the July 5 American Oaks Invitational (G1) at Hollywood Park. "We felt all along that her action was better suited for the grass than the dirt." Owned by Lewis Lakin, IEAH Stable and Pegasus Holding Group Stables, Pure Clan was undefeated in four starts last year. She won her first two starts on turf before switching to dirt and taking the Pocahontas S. (G3) and Golden Rod S. (G2) at Churchill. Pure Clan was second to the ill-fated Eight Belles in the Honeybee S. (G3) in her seasonal debut, and was third to that rival in the Fantasy S. (G2) before finishing third to Proud Spell most recently in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Pure Clan now sports a record of 8-5-1-2 with earnings of $552,416. Bred in Kentucky by A. Lakin & Sons Inc., Pure Clan is out of Grade 3 heroine Gather the Clan (Ire) (General Assembly), who has also produced Grade 2 winner Greater Good (Intidab). Pure Clan has a two-year-old half-sister named Running Clan (Cherokee Run) and a 2008 half-brother by Gone West. Pure Clan's second dam is What a Summer (What Luck), champion sprinter of 1977.
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