Cutie Sabrina by a nose

Friday the 13th proved unlucky for 1-5 favorite Halo Humor at Evangeline Downs on Friday night, when she suffered a narrow defeat to Cutie Sabrina in the $75,000 Lil' Liza Jayne Stakes, a 5 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. Sixteen Grand finished third, followed by Collecteus and Gracie's Gem.

Breaking poorly in her first start since finishing fourth to likely 2005 2-year-old filly champion Folklore in the Grade 1 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park last September, Halo Humor spotted Cutie Sabrina several lengths in the early going.

Kerwin Clark hustled Cutie Sabrina clear along the inside into the turn after an opening quarter-mile in 22.53 seconds. Cutie Sabrina's lead diminished entering the stretch, however, as Roman Chapa moved Halo Humor up to challenge. Cutie Sabrina and Halo Humor raced as a team before Halo Humor put a head in front in midstretch. Cutie Sabrina fought back gamely and prevailed by a nose in 1:06.15 over a fast track.

The victory was Cutie Sabrina's second from three starts and her first stakes tally. Cutie Sabrina ($17.40) is trained by Abel Blanchard and owned by Joe Hackler.