In a field of better-known horses and trainers, Golden Dawn and Michael Hushion didn't exactly stand out.
But when the $300,000, Grade II Barbara Fritchie Handicap ended at Laurel Park yesterday, everyone knew their names.
With an astute ride from Channing Hill, Golden Dawn walloped the competition, beating favored Control System by six lengths and leaving last year's Fritchie champion, Oprah Winney, in her wake. Oprah Winney was eased and finished last among eight starters.
The bettors weren't deceived, making Golden Dawn the 4-1 second choice to Control System, who was making her debut over the Laurel strip where she trains. For Kisses, a long shot from the local stable of Richard Small, finished third.
After his first graded-stakes victory, Hill said: "I had a ton of confidence in my filly. I knew they would have to come running to beat us. When Control System ranged up, I thought I may have moved a little too early, but my filly just took off. She got brave when I needed her to be and just ran an awesome race."
Hill led all New York apprentices in victories in 2005 and "is the best-kept secret in the jocks room," Hushion said.
He was the runner-up for the nation's outstanding apprentice award that year.
Owner Marty Cunningham, whose jubilant party chartered a bus to come to Maryland, also praised Hushion.
"Mike has been flying under the radar for a long time," he said. "He doesn't get the respect he deserves."
A protege of Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens, Hushion has been the second- and third-leading trainer in New York several times while competing on the toughest circuit.
Golden Dawn was purchased privately for $95,000 in Kentucky on the advice of Len Friedman of the Ragozin Sheets, who predicted the horse was going to be worth a venture.
A CEO at a New Jersey brokerage firm, Cunningham said Golden Dawn "didn't eat for the first couple of weeks" he had her in his stable of 14 or 15, less than half of whom are currently running.
She also tended in early races to drift wide before the use of a Haughton bit (which is widely used with harness horses) helped her curb that.
"She's been getting a little better every race," Hushion said after Golden Dawn's third win in the past four starts. "I thought this race was a perfect fit, six weeks since the last one. "Her last race was huge, and everything pointed to giving this a try. She trained like a monster."
Trainer Mike Trombetta was "pleased" with the effort of Control System. "The winner obviously came here meaning business."
The winning time for the seven furlongs was 1 minute, 23.24 seconds.