Follow the Lite rallies to upset

Follow the Lite turned in an explosive rally over a sloppy track Friday to win the $75,000 Esplanade Stakes at Fair Grounds.

Jockey Elvis Perrodin took back on the rail after Follow the Lite broke sharply inside of Mykindasaint and All for Fashion.

"She paid attention to me at all times," said Perrodin. "I took hold of her, and she was like butter in my hands."

Perrodin waited patiently as Mykindasaint went on to battle it out with favored Hot Storm and No Fair through a half-mile in 46.70 seconds.

"It was an honest pace and it worked to our advantage, because we were able to sit off it," said Perrodin. Perrodin asked for run turning for home and Follow the Lite rolled past the leaders in midstretch to draw away by 2 3/4 lengths over the second finisher, All for Fashion, covering the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.54.

"I had to take her wide because she came up on them so fast," said Perrodin.

Mykindasaint finished another three lengths back in third, 3 1/2 lengths in front of Hot Storm in fourth. Follow the Lite paid $18.80 to win.