Aurora Lights upsets Selene Stakes

The longshot Aurora Lights rallied along the inside to take the Grade 3, over 4-5 favorite Milwaukee Appeal at Woodbine on Saturday.

Grade 1 winner Hooh Why set a moderate pace in the 1 1/16-mile route for 3-year-old fillies, with the other four runners in close proximity.

Milwaukee Appeal came inside Hooh Why on the far turn, as Aurora Lights commenced a bid from fifth under Jim McAleney. Aurora Lights hit the front early in the stretch, and then opened up a clear lead before coasting home on top by 1 3/4 lengths, in a time of 1:43.37. Milwaukee Appeal finished a length in front of Hooh Why, who held third.

"I worked this filly [last winter] in Florida, and I really did have high hopes for her then," said McAleney. "Unfortunately, it took us this long a time to get her here. There's more to come. She's a very talented filly."

Aurora Lights ($20.50) earned $150,000 in her first stakes score for Chiefswood Stable and trainer Eric Coatrieux.