Viking Libra was indeed a factor in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at CD. The Delta Farms home-bred went off at odds of 15-1 and put in a strong performance..

The field broke together, but after the first few jumps, it was Miss Darna with a short lead from the #7 post, and by the time the field approached the clubhouse turn, she had pulled away by a length over Viking Libra and Crooked Road, with Hollywood Danzer in fourth.

Around the turn, Miss Darna moved over to the rail with Crooked Road behind her. On the outside, Viking Libra held third with Hollywood Danzer still in fourth.

Viking Libra lost ground as the field headed into the backstretch, while Que Seras Creeps just to her inside looked trapped behind Hollywood Danzer and Stacked to the inside. Meanwhile, Miss Darna increased her lead to almost two lengths.

Que Seras Creeps got a head in front of Viking Libra who looked done for at this point. With Face Of Evil ranging up to her outside and more than four lengths separating her from Miss Darna still on the lead. But into the far turn, Viking Libra rallied again and battled Que Seras Creeps for fourth. The grays, Crooked Road in second and Hollywood Danzer in third were losing ground to the front running Miss Darna.

Miss Darna led the way into the stretch. Viking Libra swung wide and drew alongside Crooked Road and Hollywood Danzer, leaving the rest of the field another length behind.

With a furlong to go, Viking Libra, in the middle of the track, caught the leader. Stacked put in a run, found space between the tiring grays and popped through to take up the chase. But at the wire, it was Viking Libra by a length over Stacked with Miss Darna holding on for third.

It was the first win in graded company for Viking Libra and earned her ten points towards a starting place in next year’s KYO for a total of 13 so far. It was the biggest win of her short career and brings her record to 7-3-0-2 $217.60.

Order of Finish:

Viking Libra – Close early, backed off mid-race, then came on strong to win in the stretch.
Stacked – Made a strong run between horses in the stretch to finish second.
Miss Darna – Led at every call but the last one, managed to hold on for third.
Shes El Grande – Came from last in the final furlong to take fourth.
Hollywood Danzer – Stalked the pace throughout, then faded to finish fifth
Crooked Road – – Stalked the pace throughout, then faded to finish sixth
Que Seras Creeps – Blocked mid-race, found room but did not fire.
Face Of Evil – Never a factor.

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