Harlan’s Holiday got his third winner of the weekend when Leave of Absence fought his way to a neck victory in a three-horse photo finish Oct. 9 at Belmont Park.
The eventual winner came from fifth at the half-mile mark with a sustained rally to wear down the leaders, getting the 6 1/2-furlongs in 1:15.66.
Leave of Absence, 4, is 2-1-1 in seven starts. He has earned $95,800. Owned by Klaravich Stables Inc. and William H. Lawrence, the bay colt was a $145,000 purchase at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton February select 2-year-olds in training sale. The filly is out of Danseur Chaud, a half-sister to the Grade 2-winning filly Belle of Perintown.
Besides Leave of Absence, Harlan’s Holiday also accounted for winners at Santa Anita (My Boy Luke) and at Calder (Tell Tale Friend). With 10 stakes winners accounting for 14 added money events in 2011, Harlan’s Holiday has $4.2 million in progeny earnings. His top worldwide earner is Mendip, a two-time Group 3 winner in Dubai; while his leading earner in the U.S. American Derby (G2) winner Willcox Inn.