Thriving makes U.S. debut in Durante

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Cohen family has had success buying moderately priced horses in Europe and turning them into stakes winners, and trainer Jeff Mullins is hopeful that Thriving, who makes her U.S. debut Saturday in the Jimmy Durante Stakes at Del Mar, can follow in the footsteps of last year’s prized recruit, River Boyne.

Thriving made six starts in Great Britain, winning twice and finishing second twice for trainer Roger Varian. She will run as far as one mile for the first time in her career Saturday, but drew well – landing post 7 in the field of 13 – gets Flavien Prat, and adds Lasix for the Durante, a Grade 3, $100,000 race for 2-year-old fillies.

“She’s a nice, good-looking filly,” said Mullins, who has had Thriving in his barn for about a week since her arrival from overseas. “She comes over here with a better rating than River Boyne, and we know what he is.”

River Boyne, now age 3, is a multiple graded stakes winner who races next in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby here Dec. 1.

The Jimmy Durante is a competitive race and looks as though it will require handicappers to spread in order to feel comfortable in multi-race wagers.

Trainer Graham Motion has two top prospects in Monette and Pivottina, each coming off a sharp effort in a North American graded stakes after beginning their careers in France. Doug O’Neill also has two, in Lakerball – whose form has turned around since she moved to the turf – and European import Cedars of Lebanon. California-breds Creative Instinct and Kookie Gal move into open company for trainer Peter Miller, and trainer Michael Stidham brings in the dangerous Elsa, a daughter of Animal Kingdom who adds Lasix after floundering on yielding going at Laurel.

KEY CONTENDERS

Thriving, by Kodiac

◗ Mullins said Thriving wants firm ground, and he was hopeful that the Thursday morning rain shower here would be short-lived.

Monette, by Cockney Rebel Last 3 Beyers: 67-NA-NA

◗ She finished furiously to be second in the Grade 3 Matron at Belmont Park last month.

◗ As with Thriving, this will be her first race around two turns.

Pivottina, by Vision d’Etat Last 3 Beyers: 73-NA-NA

◗ She was fourth in the Grade 1 Natalma at Woodbine on Sept. 16 in her first start in North America and was an intended runner for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, but was the first also-eligible and did not get in.

Lakerball, by Lakerville Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-52

◗ After three decent efforts that included a victory against maiden claimers, she has been a different horse on turf, winning consecutive stakes at Santa Anita and Golden Gate.

Elsa, by Animal Kingdom Last 3 Beyers: 35-71-69

◗ Stidham said she hated the conditions at Laurel last time. Her previous races on firm ground at both Laurel and Saratoga would make her a major player here.