Turfway Park: In Lingerie rolls in Bourbonette for Pletcher, Velazquez

FLORENCE, Ky. – A year after Summer Soiree dominated the Grade 3 Bourbonette Oaks in front-running fashion, In Lingerie did her best to replicate that performance Saturday at Turfway, going to the front and increasing her lead to the wire.

After being a little hesitant to load in the gate, In Lingerie did everything perfectly, cruising to the front under John Velazquez and never being threatened. She won by six lengths over stablemate Dancing Solo, with Toxis another 5 1/2 lengths back in third.

In Lingerie ran faster marginally than Summer Soiree, covering the one-mile distance in the $100,000 Bourbonette in 1:38.28, compared to Summer Soiree’s clocking of 1:38.75 in 2011. Summer Soiree went on to win the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks later in her 3-year-old year.

The stakes victory came in just the third start of In Lingerie’s career, following a maiden victory at Turfway Jan. 14 and a second-place finish at Gulfstream to Zo Impressive in an allowance Feb. 25.

A 3-year-old Empire Maker filly trained by Todd Pletcher, she paid $3.60 as the heavy favorite in the field of eight.

“I was a little nervous before the race because she misbehaved at the gate last time in Florida,” said jockey John Velazquez. “But she popped out of the gate running and from there it was just a nice ride – just hold on to it.”

Asked if she was Kentucky Oaks quality, he responded, “definitely.”

Aron Wellman, President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, whom purchased the winner privately after her first race along with Gary Barber, said the Kentucky Oaks would be considered, along with other races, after consultation with Pletcher.

Pletcher, not in attendance at Turfway Saturday, said via telephone that “she will come back to Palm Meadows on Tuesday and we’ll see how she comes back.”