Brill takes turf debut in Lady of Shamrock Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Brill won her turf debut and first stakes in Saturday’s $82,453 Lady of Shamrock Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf at Santa Anita, leading throughout under a confident ride from Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

Smith, 54, was a late replacement for Flavien Prat, who missed his mounts on Saturday because of illness.

Brill ($9) took the lead shortly after the start and led by as much as a length in the first half-mile. Angel Alessandra (8-1) offered a threat on the turn before Brill pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Keeper Ofthe Stars, the 6-5 favorite.

Smith said Brill was comfortable while leading.

“She turned off very nicely and handled the grass,” he said. “That’s the sort of race we’ve been lookingfrom for her.”

Lucky Peridot (4-1) finished third in the field of eight. Sold It finished fourth, followed by Angel Alessandra, Bodhicitta, Mischiffie, and Lakerball.

Brill was timed in 1:35.75 and earned a Beyer Speed figure of 86.

Owned by Larry Best’s OXO Equine and trained by Don Chatlos, Brill was purchased for $1 million as a yearling in 2017. She has won 2 of 8 starts and earned $231,640.

Brill had not raced since finishing fourth of five in the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at Belmont Park in July. She was third in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes here at 1 1/16 miles in September 2018 when trained by Jerry Hollendorfer.

Chatlos, best known for winning the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Mile with Singletary, began training Brill and Best’s other horses in early summer.