Pudding Lane dropped the flag on the 2026 season in style with a win at the Aiken Spring Steeplechase March 21. Owned by Riverdee and Dr. Joe Fowler, the 4-year-old found a comfortable spot under jockey Bernie Dalton, jumped accurately, cruised to the lead around the final turn and won by a length. Trained by Kate Dalton, Pudding Lane improved from a third and fourth over hurdles in the fall to win for the first time.
“Fairly simple, really. We knew he was fit, we fancied him. I popped out and sat in the middle. He was jumping away nicely, moved up to second under the wire with a circuit to go and then took it up leaving the backside. He was idle in front. Once I gave him a smack after the last, he went about his business no problem,” Bernie Dalton said. “He won with a little bit in hand. It rode a solid race, we didn’t go flat out but we went a decent pace. He jumped great. He jumped brilliantly on the schooling day so I knew we were in business.”
Several partners were on hand for the win. Congratulations.
