Ellis: First stakes win for Kota

Kota swept past front-running Angel Trumpet to post her first stakes victory in the $83,750 Anna M. Fisher Debutante at Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.

A Florida-bred ridden by John McKee and trained by Bob Holthus, Kota returned $15 after finishing seven furlongs in 1:25 over a fast main track. It was the fourth career start for Kota, a 2-year-old Indian Charlie filly owned by Ofer Stable LLC.

Angel Trumpet, favored at 2-1 after running second in the Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga in her previous start, led from the start before drawing clear leaving the quarter pole, but she had no response for the searing late run of Kota, who prevailed by 2 3/4 lengths.

Patience Pays finished another five lengths back in third, while Wild as Elle, the 2-1 second choice, finished seventh in a field of eight.

* Jockey Rafael Bejarano is on another hot streak. Bejarano, well on his way to a second straight Ellis riding title, booted home five winners Friday.