Vacare gives Clement milestone victory in Dahlia

On the weekend that legendary horseman Maurice Zilber, who conditioned

Dahlia, passed away, it was somewhat fitting that the winning trainer of the

race that bears that famous filly's name would hog the spotlight on closing day

of the Hollywood Park fall meet on Sunday. French expatriate Christophe Clement

reached the winner's circle for the 1,000th time in his North American career

when Jon Kelly et al's VACARE (Lear Fan) wore down the early leaders to take the

$150,000

Dahlia H. (G2) by a length under Jose Valdivia Jr. The 4-5 choice in a field

of eight fillies and mares, Vacare returned $3.60, $2.60 and $2.40.

In My Glory (Honour and Glory) established a clear lead in the early stages,

up by two lengths through an opening quarter in :24 4/5 and by 1 1/2 lengths

after a half in :50. Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy) tracked in second while

Vacare enjoyed a ground-saving trip in fourth just to the inside of Green Lyons

(Ire) (Green Desert). Gotta Have Her was sent after In My Glory around the far

turn, and those two were separated by a head after six furlongs in 1:14 3/5.

With Green Lyons failing to go on turning for home, Vacare moved off the inside

and steadily wore down the top pair in the final furlong, finishing 1 1/16 miles

on the firm turf in 1:43.

Gotta Have Her edged past In My Glory by a half-length for second, returning

$3.60 and $2.80 as the 7-2 second choice. The $1 exacta brought back a measly

$5.80. In My Glory, at nearly 19-1, gave back $5.40 while capping the $1

trifecta payoff of $44.90. I Can See (Flying Chevron) was 3 1/4 lengths back in

fourth and sealed the $1 superfecta of $272.30 (1-6-11-3). Next under the line

were Lady Digby (Grand Slam), Green Lyons, Belle Alure (Ire) (Numerous) and

Don't Forget Faith (Victory Gallop). The field was reduced by one-third with the

scratches of Place de l'Etoile (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Sensational Love (War

Chant), Storybook (UAE) (Halling) and Valbenny (Ire) (Val Royal [Fr]).

Vacare now sports a mark of 14-8-2-1 with $1,213,706 in her account. She

began her career under the direction of Chris Block, capturing the Queen

Elizabeth II Invitational Challenge Cup (G1) and Pucker Up S. (G3) during her

perfect 2006 campaign, when she went four-for-four. Sold to Kelly for $2.8

million at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton November sale, Vacare was transferred to

Clement. She captured her 2007 debut in the Magna Distaff S. at Gulfstream by a

cozy length before suffering her first career loss when third in the Gamely S.

(G1). After finishing a troubled second to Wait a While (Maria's Mon) in the

Ballston Spa H. (G2), the bay concluded her season with a sharp half-length

score over Precious Kitten (Catienus) in the First Lady S. (G2).

Vacare turned in the worst efforts of her career in her first two starts of

2008, winding up eighth in the Just a Game S. (G1) and fourth in the Diana S.

(G1), but rebounded to capture the Palomar H. (G2) at Del Mar. Prior to this

score, Vacare finished second in the Yellow Ribbon S. (G1) and fifth in the

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

Bred by Lothenbach Stables in Kentucky, the five-year-old is out of the

winning Valid Appeal mare Appealing Storm, who has also produced a weanling

half-sister by Bernardini. Vacare hails from the same family as champion,

$3.2-million earner and outstanding broodmare Serena's Song (Rahy).