F&M Turf news: Lailani stretches her legs

Lailani, the Flower Bowl winner and probable favorite for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, stretched her legs Friday morning with a half-mile breeze in 52.22 seconds over Belmont's main track.

It was the first timed move for Lailani since she won the Flower Bowl on Sept. 29, her seventh consecutive victory after beginning her career with two losses. According to William Knight, the assistant trainer to Ed Dunlop, Lailani's victory in the Flower Bowl puts her ahead of schedule for the Breeders' Cup.

"I think it puts us at an advantage because we trained her specifically for this race," Knight said. "She's acclimatized to New York, she's used to the track. If everything goes well from here to the race, I think we are at an advantage, especially versus the European horses."

Knight said Lailani will have her final serious work for the Breeders' Cup on Thursday over the turf course.

Knight added that Jerry Bailey, who rode Lailani in the Flower Bowl, will retain the mount for the Breeders' Cup. Frankie Dettori had ridden Lailani to her five previous victories.