Frivolous strikes again at huge odds in Fleur de Lis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Frivolous must like being an underdog at Churchill Down. Some 6 1/2 months after winning the Grade 3 Falls City Handicap at Churchill Downs at 19-1 odds on Nov. 27, she upset Saturday night’s Grade 2, $200,000 Fleur De Lis Handicap at 32-1.

Not surprisingly in light of her odds, her form had deteriorated since her win in the Falls City late last year, but it was apparent from the start in the Fleur De Lis that she was back on her game. Much more aggressive than when ninth in the Grade 1 La Troienne May 1 at Churchill, Frivolous was prominent from the start in the Fleur De Lis, pushing in the early pace.

Although it briefly looked as if she might be in danger of getting caught entering the lane, Frivolous had enough to hold off the late bids of favored Sheer Drama and 4-1 shot Tiz Windy in the stretch. She won by 1 1/2 lengths..

In addition to the prestige and purse of winning the Fleur De Lis, the race carried a new bonus this year for the first time, being a Win and You’re In Challenge race for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff to be run at Keeneland this fall. The Win and You’re In designation assures her an expense-paid berth in the Distaff.

Keeneland is the home base for Frivolous, and a track over which she has won, too. “Touch wood, I hope all goes well,” said trainer Vicky Oliver.

The winner, a 5-year-old daughter of Empire Maker, owned and bred by Oliver’s father G. Watts Humphrey Jr., raced 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:49.22. She paid $66.20.

Jon Court was aboard for the winning ride on Frivolous, as he as last year when she won the Falls City.

Sheer Drama, bet down to 8-5, hung a bit after making a menacing early move in the stretch, and barely lasted for the place over third-place Tiz Windy, who rallied from eighth.