Little Bold John Beats Skip Trial, Lady’s Secret

In a stunning upset, Little Bold John beat Skip Trial by a nose Saturday to win the $147,600 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.

Heavily favored Lady’s Secret, the 1986 Horse of the Year, faded to sixth place and finished 32 1/2 lengths behind the surprise winner.

Jeff Lukas, Lady’s Secret’s trainer, said he could find nothing wrong with the 5-year-old mare physically, but she appeared to be uninterested in running with the field late in the race. Making her first start of the year after traveling from California earlier this week, Lady’s Secret started well and led until the far turn. But when Little Bold John and Skip Trial went past her, Lady’s Secret began to fall off the pace.

Little Bold John, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred son of John Alden, barely won the two-horse battle with Skip Trial down the stretch. Wise Times was six lengths behind the leaders in third place.

The winner, ridden by Mike Gonzalez and carrying 111 pounds, covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 4/5 and paid $113.80, $11.60 and $5.00. Skip Trial, an entry with Silent Professor, paid $3.60 and $3.40. Wise Times paid $5.00.