Deep Learning is professional in Listed Chelsey Flower

Klaravich Stables’ Deep Learning sat a patient trip under Flavien Prat before pouncing in the lane to a professional victory in Thursday’s Listed $150,000 Chelsey Flower, a 1 1/16-mile outer turf route for juvenile fillies, at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown secured a record-extending seventh win in this event following past scores with Ava’s Kitten [2015], Create a Dream [2016], Seek and Destroy [2018], Ingrassia [2020], Implicated [2022] and Opulent Restraint [2024].

Deep Learning entered from a two-length second to subsequent Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf third place-finisher Ground Support in the Grade 2 Miss Grillo on October 4 here, which followed a 1 3/4-length fifth in the Grade 1 Natalma in September at Woodbine Racetrack. The Cairo Prince dark bay made those graded attempts off a 3 1/4-length debut score in a 1 1/16-mile route in August at Saratoga Race Course – that graduation and the Natalma under Prat. 

“I loved the way she won at Saratoga and then we went to Canada and drew outside on the inner track, so it was not an ideal trip,” Prat said. “I kind of crossed out that race and then she came back and had a good race and did again today.”

Deep Learning broke alertly from post 2 and settled into third position to the inside of Fille d’Oro as Candy Moonshine cleared the field from the outermost post 6 and was tracked by Fitz Right through an opening quarter-mile in 24.31 seconds over the firm turf. 

The complexion remained the same in the first turn with Deep Learning saving ground down the backside through the half-mile in 48.35. In the second turn, Fille d’Oro improved to third position a half-length in front of Deep Learning while Prat remained patient through three-quarters in 1:12.81. 

At the top of the lane, Candy Moonshine responded on the lead while Fitz Right and Fille d’Oro stalled to the outside. Deep Learning burst through the seam to the inside of those rivals and soon was on even terms with Candy Moonshine. 

“I was traveling well. She gave me a good run when it was time to get going and she kept on going,” said Prat.

Candy Moonshine tried to battle back, but Deep Learning’s turn-of-foot was too strong en route to a three-length victory over the late-running Bella Knows in a final time of 1:42.64.

Candy Moonshine finished third a nose behind Bella Knows, with a neck back to Tideoftime in fourth. Fille d’Oro and Fitz Right completed the order of finish. Getting Serious, who was fractious in the gate, Devilish Grin and main track-only entrant Hidden Rose were scratched. 

“I don’t think she’ll mind going a bit further and I think she’ll get better as a 3-year-old,” Prat said. 

Junior Alvarado, aboard the Brad Cox-trained Bella Knows for the first time in the afternoon, said the daughter of Kantharos was green in her inside run from last-of-6. 

“We turned for home and passing horses – between horses – was kind of a new thing for her,” Alvarado said. “Normally, she’s coming on the outside with a run, so I think this time running between horses, she was a little hesitant but when we hit the sixteenth pole, she started figuring it out and she went through a good space between horses. She finished up very nice. She’s learning what to do and I think there’s a lot more there.”

Bred in Kentucky by Tony Dardis, Dell Ridge Farm, Ken Donworth and Desmond Ryan, Deep Learning, a $325,000 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training purchase, is out of the Union Rags mare Dovima, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-winner Secret Gypsy.

She banked $82,500 in victory while improving her record to 4-2-1-0 and returning $3.56 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite.  

Live racing resumes Friday at Aqueduct Racetrack with a 10-race card featuring the Listed $150,000 Central Park [Race 7] and the $150,000 Stewart Manor [Race 9]. First post is 11:40 a.m. Eastern. 

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Aqueduct Racetrack fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.