Final Refrain rallies to a win

Final Refrain had the final say in Saturday's $100,000 Ellis Park Turf Stakes over a rain-soaked course, rallying from eighth to pull clear to a 2 1/4-length victory.

Under a brave ride from Victor Lebron, Final Refrain was allowed to settle in seventh place early among the field of 10 female turf runners. But once the field hit the backstretch, Lebron, keeping his mount along the inside, allowed Final Refrain to advance toward the leaders.

As the field hit the last of two turns, Final Refrain appeared at risk of getting caught in traffic, but she bulled her way between horses under Lebron to surge to the lead exiting the turn, and pulled away in the lane despite drifting out into the middle of the course.

Final Refrain, a 5-year-old daughter of Lion Cavern trained by Al Stall and owned by Charles E. Miller, won her first stakes race in the Ellis Park Turf, covering 1/ 1/16 miles on soft ground in 1:44.49. She paid $17.80.

Whirlie Bertie, who raced uncontested on the lead with fractions of 24.06 seconds, 47.94 and 1:12.50, held second, outbattling Kiss Mine by a neck for the place.

Favored Day of Victory ran eighth.