Churchill Downs: Blueeyesintherein gives ailing trainer Simms second straight Debutante victory

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Blueeyesintherein posted a 2 1/2-length victory Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs in the $112,200 Debutante Stakes that proved to be highly popular – and not just because she was the even-money favorite in a field of 10 2-year-old fillies.

Blueeyesintherein dominated the stretch run of the six-furlong race, giving trainer Garry Simms his second straight victory in the Grade 3 race. The winner’s circle was filled and the stands were dotted with close friends and supporters of Simms, a 60-year-old locally based trainer who for the last 2 1/2 years has been battling an incurable cancer, multiple myeloma.

“I know there are a lot of people happy for me today,” said Simms. “And I really, truly appreciate it.”

Blueeyesintherein, with Leandro Goncalves aboard, stalked a pace contested by longshots Dancing Elliebelle and My Daughter’s Song before angling out to make her move nearing the quarter pole. She quickly opened a clear lead approaching the furlong pole and went on to remain unbeaten in two career starts, having won a maiden race last month at Churchill. She returned $4 after finishing in 1:11.71 over a fast track.

Quiet Success, a 15-1 shot, made a steady run from mid-pack to be second, a half-length before Shesakitty, a late-running maiden who was sent off the 7-2 second choice.

Tom Amoss, trainer of Quiet Success, said he “would never” begrudge a colleague like Simms a victory under such circumstances. “I want Garry on my side both inside the track and out,” said Amoss.

Blueeyesintherein, owned by Dorothy Self, Barry King, and Travis Morgeson V LLC, is by the young sire Magna Graduate, whom Simms trained for the first three races of a racing career in which he earned nearly $2.6 million.

“I love this filly,” said Simms. “She really showed her class today.”

Simms won the Debutante last year for King with Flashy Lassie.

In earlier Saturday races:

* Delaunay ($16.60), claimed for $40,000 from his prior start by Maggi Moss, overtook Noble’s Promise in the final sixteenth-mile to win the $67,000 Kelly’s Landing, a seven-furlong overnight stakes. Goncalves was aboard for Amoss.

Delaunay, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Smoke Glacken, had been claimed in five of his six prior starts. He finished the distance in 1:22.77 over a fast track. Golden Frontier, the even-money favorite, set the pace before fading to fifth in a field of nine.

* Karlovy Vary ($3.60), with Corey Lanerie aboard for his fourth win of the card, got a great stalking trip before moving along to a 1 1/4-length victory in a $64,506, third-level allowance at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Karlovy Vary, winner of the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland in April, was making her first start since finishing 12th in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks. She is owned by her breeder, Alex G. Campbell Jr., and is trained by Rusty Arnold.