Having already saddled a pair of debut-winning 3-year-olds earlier on the program, Cherie DeVaux completed a hat-trick of victories when Lael Stables' Taking Candy came running in the final furlong to post his first stakes success in Saturday's GIII Fair Grounds Stakes in the Big Easy.
Second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the GIII Saranac Stakes at three in 2023 and runner-up in the 2024 Bernard Baruch Stakes, both at Saratoga, Taking Candy was lasst seen finishing a running-on third to What Say Thee in Churchill allowance company in November.
A 33-10 chance in his first start of the season, the $155,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling turned $400,000 OBS March breezer settled in midfield between rivals for the opening half-mile before tugging his way into good striking position from third entering the second turn. Poised to pounce, Taking Candy swept three wide off the final corner, set his sights on front-runner Higgins Boat and long-time pace-presser Idratherbeblessed (Unified) in upper stretch, hit the front about five off the inside at the sixteenth pole and edged clear. Higgins Boat held for second ahead of Idrathebeblessed in third.
“Taking Candy has been a horse that has had a couple issues along the way,” DeVaux said. “Every time he runs, he tries. It's rewarding that the Jacksons have been so patient with him and have allowed us to do our job to the best of our abilities. I really just wanted to get him back to the races. He came in looking fantastic and ready to fire.”
DeVaux also conditions GISW She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) for the Jacksons.
Pedigree Notes:
A half-brother to 2024 GIII Senorita Stakes runner-up Rascality, Taking Candy is the 57th stakes winner and 24th graded winner for Lane's End's Twirling Candy.
The winner's dam is a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Tapizar (Tapit) and to Tamboz (Tiznow), whose eight winners include six black-type horses, including 2022 GI Preakness Stakes third Creative Minister (Creative Cause) and GISP Dolder Grand (Candy Ride {Arg}). The GSW & GISP third dam Call Now was a half-sister to GISW Olympio.
Taking Candy is the first produce for his dam, who is also represented by a yearling colt by Jackie's Warrior and was bred back to Twirling Candy for her 2025 foal.
🍬 #8 TAKING CANDY ($8.60) secures his first graded win in the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) at @fairgroundsnola. The five-year-old son of @LanesEndFarms' Twirling Candy was piloted by @iradortiz for trainer @reredevaux. pic.twitter.com/JsRuPC8Dyf
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 15, 2025
Saturday, Fair Grounds
FAIR GROUNDS S. PRESENTED BY HORSE RACING NATION-GIII, $175,000, Fair Grounds, 2-15, 4yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:50.44, fm.
1–TAKING CANDY, 118, h, 5, by Twirling Candy
1st Dam: Taking Aim, by Trappe Shot
2nd Dam: Winning Call, by Deputy Minister
3rd Dam: Call Now, by Wild Again
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($155,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR). O-Lael Stables; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $105,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-1, $385,730. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Higgins Boat, 118, g, 4, Omaha Beach–Betty Draper, by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Ensemble Racing II; B-Breed First LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss. $35,000.
3–What Say Thee, 118, g, 7, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Noisy Feet, by Tapit. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($45,000 5yo '23 KEEAPR). O-Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $17,500.
Margins: 1, 1, HF. Odds: 3.30, 10.60, 4.70.
Also Ran: Idratherbeblessed, Unit Economics (GB), Money Supply, Relampago Verde, Gigante, Dean Martini. Scratched: Warrior Johny.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
