Doncho Again Impressive in Gold Fever Victory

Mo Town’s Doncho (3g Mo Town x Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes) returned to his winning ways Sunday with a win in the Gold Fever Stakes for his first stakes victory.

Looking to bounce back from a fourth in his stakes debut, the Michelle Lovell trainee was first out of the gate in the six-furlong dirt race and kept that position throughout. Dueling for the lead to the outside of another runner, he put some distance between himself and the other horse around the turn on his way to victory.

Asked for more as they entered the final furlong, Doncho looked impressive pulling away to a 2 ½ length win with the third placed runner 6 ½ lengths back.

“I thought he looked like a winner the whole way. I wasn’t nervous today,” said Lovell. “I was really excited about the chance. I realized there were some other horses in there that could definitely challenge him for the lead or come get him, but I thought he looked like a winner the whole race. It was great to watch. I’m watching with friends and it’s been a great day.”

It was the third victory in four starts for the JAL Racing representative, who was bred by Susan Young.

Lovell mentioned that the Grade I Woody Stephens next month would be discussed as a potential target.

Coming from a strong family, he is one of three winners out of Sassy Redhead with that mare out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Madcap Escapade and Dubai Escapade. Madcap Escapade is another stakes producer in the family as the dam of Grade I winner Mi Sueno.

This was the second stakes winner in two days for Mo Town, who also saw Play The Music win the Grade III Whimsical Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.