Churchill: Marketing Mix much the best in Mrs. Revere

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Tom Proctor tried to put a reverse jinx on himself this week when talking about how fillies who run well in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland sometimes tend to regress in the Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs. Marketing Mix, a terrific second in the QE II last month for Proctor and owner Glen Hill Farm, was the favorite for the 21st Mrs. Revere on Saturday.

The badmouthing worked to perfection. Marketing Mix, carefully reserved just off the early pace by Julien Leparoux, had tons left for the final quarter-mile, where she separated herself from the other 10 3-year-old fillies in a geared-down, 1 1/2-length triumph in the Grade 2, $200,550 Mrs. Revere.

The winner returned $5.40 after finishing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:42.59 over a firm turf, second-fastest in stakes history behind only the 1:41.73 by Mary’s Follies two years ago.

Bizzy Caroline was second in a tight three-way photo for second, with Hungry Island third and Smart Sting fourth.

New Normal set the pace, with Leparoux getting Marketing Mix in a beautiful rhythm just off her outside flank. Once the real running began, it was no contest, as Marketing Mix quickly spurted clear, leaving no doubt about the outcome.

“We got a good trip and went at an easy pace,” said Leparoux, who rode two other winners on the 10-race card as the meet’s leading jockey. “She’s a nice filly and she won. She didn’t need to win by 10 [lengths].”

Marketing Mix, an Ontario-bred by Medaglia d’Oro, now has won 4 of 9 starts, all of them this year. After running primarily in restricted races in Canada, she won the Grade 3 Pucker Up in September at Arlington before her runner-up finish behind Together in the Oct. 15. QE II.

Marketing Mix “has had a great year,” said Proctor, adding the filly will be given time off before gearing up for major races at 4.

Favorites occupied the top four spots in the Mrs. Revere, accounting for these mutuels: a $2 exacta (10-2) worth $26; a $1 trifecta (10-2-1) of $39.60; and a dime superfecta (10-2-1-6) paying just $13.35.

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