Golden Lad shines in Essex Handicap

Golden Lad, a five-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro, returned to the site of his G3 Razorback Handicap win last year, and proved much the best in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn February 14.

In the one-and-one-sixteenth-mile race Golden Lad patiently stalked the pace in fourth. Taking aim at the lead around the far turn, the son of Medaglia d'Oro challenged the lead at the top of the lane and extended his advantage in the stretch to capture the win.

A homebred for E Paul Robsham Stables LLC, Golden Lad is out of the Stakes-winning mare Broadway Gold, a half-sister to G1 winner Dialed In. Broadway Gold is also the dam of G2 winner and G1 Kentucky Oaks-placed Broadway's Alibi and Stakes winner and G1-placed R Gypsy Gold, by Bernardini.

Medaglia d'Oro is off to a tremendous start to 2015, with nine Stakes winners to date. They include G1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap and G2 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes winner Mshawish and G3 Fred W. Hooper Stakes winner Valid. The sire has also been represented by Group winners Java and the G1 Golden Slipper Bound Vancouver this year in Australia. Among the sire's most notable runners are Horse Of The Year Rachel Alexandra and G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty.

Medaglia d’Oro will be represented seven yearlings entered for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in March, while at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April he will be represented by 12 yearlings.