Abuela re-rallies to capture Ellis Park Turf

Abuela, cleverly rated by Jon Court, surrendered the lead down the backstretch before rallying back to pull a 9-1 upset Saturday in the $50,000 Ellis Park Turf Stakes in Henderson, Ky.

Trained by Vicki Oliver for her father, G. Watts Humphrey Jr., and St. George’s Farm, Abuela was victorious for the fourth time in 17 starts. She returned $20.40 after finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.46 over a firm turf.

Angelica Zapata finished second, a length behind the winner and another 2 1/2 lengths before Kiss Mine, the 3-2 favorite in a field of eight fillies and mares.

The stakes victory was the first for Abuela, a 5-year-old mare by Giant’s Causeway.