Lucy N Ethel wins stakes debut in Old Hat

Lucy N Ethel remained unbeaten in three career starts when leading all the way Saturday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Old Hat Stakes at Gulfstream Park in south Florida.

With Joshua Navarro aboard, Lucy N Ethel sped to the early lead in the six-furlong race, with only My Dear Venezuela applying any sort of pressure. Down the stretch, Lucy N Ethel steadily drew off, prevailing by 3 3/4 lengths in a stakes debut that followed two easy wins at Parx. She finished in 1:10.03 over a fast track and returned $3.80 as the favorite in a field of six 3-year-old fillies.

“You have to get after her a little bit to get her into the race,” said Navarro. “I hope she can keep improving.”

Lucy N Ethel, a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of During, is owned by J A G Racing and Jettany Thoroughbred Corp. and trained by Ramon Preciado.

My Dear Venezuela, a 20-1 shot, held second by another 2 1/2 lengths over Ballet Diva, the 2-1 second choice who was shuffled back in the early running and never seriously threatened.

The $2 exacta (5-4) paid $35.20, the $1 trifecta (5-4-1) returned $54.80, and the 10-cent superfecta (5-4-1-3) was worth $11.98.