Bonnie Arch gets first stakes win in Ellis Park Turf

Bonnie Arch forged to the front in the final 100 yards when outlegging a tight pack of fillies and mares Sunday in the 14th running of the $50,000 Ellis Park Turf Stakes in western Kentucky.

With Chris Landeros riding for his father-in-law, trainer Ian Wilkes, Bonnie Arch returned $10.60 as the third choice in a field of eight after completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:40.17 over firm going.

I Remember Mama, the 5-2 favorite, was second by half a length, followed in very quick order by Dubara, May Lily, and Burma Road. Only a length separated the top five finishers.

Youngest Daughter set the pace from the outset before Bonnie Arch and a couple of others drew to even terms once they all spun for home. Down the stretch, with steady urging from Landeros, it was Bonnie Arch who ultimately proved best.

The Ellis Turf was the fourth victory, and the first in a stakes, from 18 overall starts for Bonnie Arch, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by Regal Ransom. Owned by Clarendon Stable, the chestnut mare was coming off a June 14 allowance triumph over the turf course at her home base, Churchill Downs.

The Ellis Turf was the first of 10 stakes at the 30-day meet, which runs through Sept. 3. All stakes will be run on a Sunday, including the meet highlight, the Grade 3 Groupie Doll, on Aug. 12.

Live action resumes Friday to start a three-day race week that becomes the norm at Ellis.