Churchill Downs: Bizzy Caroline runs down pacesetter in Mint Julep

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bizzy Caroline, favored at 9-5 under Manny Cruz, used every yard of the long Churchill Downs stretch when up in the final strides to nail pacesetting Heavenly Landing on Saturday night in the 36th running of the Grade 3, $111,000 Mint Julep Handicap.

Getting a good stalking trip before angling out for the final furlong, Bizzy Caroline posted her second graded victory from 12 overall starts and returned $5.60 after finishing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.29 over a firm turf. Heavenly Landing, a 9-1 shot under Corey Lanerie, was another 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Hard Seven.

The victory was the 300th at Churchill for trainer Ken McPeek.

Bizzy Caroline, a 4-year-old filly bred and owned by Catesby Clay, won the Grade 3 Regret Stakes last year. She is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Afleet Alex.

Tapitsfly, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, was an early scratch in favor of running in the Grade 1 Just a Game on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Joharmony also was scratched, leaving a field of seven fillies and mares.