Free Like a Girl heads home to Louisiana; next trip could be to Saratoga or Charles Town

Free Like a Girl was scheduled to arrive home at her Evangeline Downs base in Opelousas, La., this weekend after spending the past month in Kentucky.

Her next road trip could be to either Saratoga or Charles Town.

But before committing to any plans, trainer Chasey Deville-Pomier said she wants to see how Free Like a Girl resumes training following her sixth-place finish in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis on June 29 at Churchill Downs.

Free Like a Girl set the pace after breaking from the rail under jockey Corey Lanerie and finished just six lengths behind winner Scylla. The out came one start after Free Like a Girl ran second to champion Idiomatic in the track’s Grade 1 La Troienne.

“Corey said they blew by her, but she didn’t stop,” Deville-Pomier said. “She dug in. She tried. It just wasn’t her day.”

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Free Like a Girl made the Kentucky starts after running third to Adare Manor in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn.

Deville-Pomier said race options going forward include the $500,000 Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 23 at Charles Town, and the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign the same day at Saratoga.

“I’m going to assess her when she gets home, make sure she’s ready to go back to training,” Deville-Pomier said Friday, noting there were some hot days in Kentucky. “She’s had a week or so off.

“The main thing is getting her home and looking at her.”

Free Like a Girl is chasing a bit of history with each passing start. She’s $126,885 from becoming the all-time leading accredited Louisiana-bred earner. Free Like a Girl ranks third on the current list of leaders led by Star Guitar with earnings of $1,749,862. Happy Ticket is second in earnings with $1,688,833.

Free Like a Girl, who is the only active runner among the top 10 earners posted on the website of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, has a bankroll of $1,622,978. She is $65,861 from passing Happy Ticket.

Free Like a Girl is a 5-year-old mare by El Deal who was bred by Kim Stover and Lisa Osborne. Free Like a Girl races for Deville-Pomier, her father, Carl Deville, Gerald Bruno Jr. and Jerry Caroom.

Free Like a Girl is a 15-time stakes winner who overall is 17 for 40.

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