Blue Prize runs down Farrell in Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Not being Breeders’ Cup nominated, Blue Prize would require a supplemental nomination in order to start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. However, after watching her win Saturday night’s Fleur De Lis Handicap at Churchill over the same 1 1/8-mile distance over which the Distaff will be run, her connections have plenty of motivation to think about doing so.

Although her winning time over a fast Churchill strip was modest – 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.02 – the manner in which she won was noteworthy. She ran down a loose-on-the-lead Farrell, who had set comfortable fractions of 23.97 seconds, 48.57, and 1:12.45. Yet she caught her in early stretch, opened up two lengths with a furlong remaining, and maintained a 1 1/2-length advantage at the wire.

In victory, she notched her second Grade 2 score at Churchill, with the Falls City Handicap being her other local win last fall. Blue Prize was given a 94 Beyer Speed Figure.

“This filly absolutely loves it here at Churchill Downs, as do I,” said winning trainer Ignacio Correas. “It was a great race from her and it sets her up for a good year with the Breeders’ Cup back here in November. She’s improved since we got her from Argentina, and I think she’s just getting better.”

Winning jockey Jose Ortiz said he chose to rate her farther off the pace Saturday after feeling he had kept her too close when she was second as the favorite in the Allaire duPont Distaff at Pimlico in the slop on May 18.

“This horse is very tactical,” he said. “I let her save ground and when we starting asking her to go, she just took off.”

Farrell kept battling all the way to the wire and was a clear runner-up, three lengths in front of third-place Mopotism.

“I have to give a lot of credit to the winner,” said Farrell’s jockey, Channing Hill. “I couldn’t believe she ran by me, especially that easy.”

Although the Fleur de Lis served as a designated Win and You’re In Challenge race for the Distaff, Blue Prize must be supplemented to receive the challenge-race bonus of a free entry and starting fee into the race.

Blue Prize, a 5-year-old daughter of Pure Prize owned by Merriebelle Stable, paid $6.60 as the Fleur De Lis favorite.